BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, July 31, 2026: More than 100 employers representing a wide range of industries gathered at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta on July 30 for a Community Job Fair hosted by U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick. Organizers said participating companies collectively represented approximately 5,000 available positions, offering job seekers an opportunity to meet recruiters, explore career options and learn about workforce resources.
The job fair featured employers from healthcare, manufacturing, technology, retail, financial services, public safety, public service and other sectors. It was preceded by a press conference attended by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne, Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin, State Rep. Scott Hilton and other state, local and business leaders.
The press conference began with a moment of silence following a medical emergency involving an individual at the venue. McCormick, a physician, recognized emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers and others who responded.
“They’re not political actors. They’re servants who are doing their best to save lives, to serve you and to protect you,” McCormick said.
McCormick thanked his congressional staff, participating businesses, community partners and job seekers for supporting the event. He described employment as an important part of personal dignity, economic stability and opportunity.
“Having work is a fundamental part of happiness,” he said. “It’s not what you’re given that makes you happy. It’s what you earn that gives you value.”
McCormick said the event was designed to connect employers seeking qualified workers with residents looking for meaningful employment. With thousands of positions represented, he said the fair demonstrated the range of opportunities available in the region.
Loeffler highlighted the role of small businesses in generating employment and supporting economic growth. She noted that small businesses make up the majority of businesses nationwide and create a significant share of new jobs.
“Small businesses make up 99 percent of all businesses in America, and they create two out of every three new jobs,” she said.
Loeffler discussed federal policies related to taxation, regulation, trade and domestic manufacturing, arguing that a favorable business environment encourages investment and hiring. She said many employers continue to struggle to find workers with the skills needed to meet demand.
“When I walk factory floors and talk to small businesses, what keeps them up at night is whether they can find the skilled workers they need,” she said. “Today, we’re connecting businesses with the talent that they need.”
Holmes said Georgia’s employment indicators reflected the strength of the state’s economy while also underscoring the need for continued workforce development.
“The jobs are here, the employers are here, and Georgia is open for business,” she said.
According to Holmes, Georgia’s labor force had reached more than 5.47 million people, while employment had risen to more than 5.29 million. She cited a statewide unemployment rate of 3.4 percent and said the unemployment rate in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District stood at approximately 3.3 percent.
She identified healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, and accommodation and food services as leading employment sectors in the district.
Holmes said the Georgia Department of Labor operates 34 career centers across the state to connect residents with jobs, training programs, unemployment insurance and reemployment services. She emphasized that employment statistics represent individuals and families whose lives are affected by access to stable work.
“Every data point is not just a number,” she said. “It is really a story about people.”
Thorne welcomed attendees to Fulton County District 1, which includes Johns Creek and portions of Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs. She described North Fulton as a growing center for innovation, finance, healthcare and entrepreneurship.
She noted that Alpharetta, with a residential population of approximately 68,000, supports more than 100,000 jobs. She credited the area’s strong schools, public safety, businesses and skilled workforce with helping attract investment.
Gilvin also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and private-sector involvement. He said Alpharetta’s growth had depended on partnerships among elected officials, businesses and residents.
Major corporations have established operations in the city, he said, in large part because of the region’s talent pool.
“An economy has to have the talent,” Gilvin said. “Everybody here who is in leadership understands that it is all about the talent pool.”
During the question-and-answer session, officials addressed workforce changes in the healthcare sector. McCormick acknowledged that healthcare systems face financial, regulatory and operational challenges. He described healthcare as one of the largest sectors in the economy and a major employer in the district.
Holmes said workers affected by layoffs or restructuring could access unemployment insurance, reemployment support, job training and other services through the Georgia Department of Labor and its partners. She expressed confidence that experienced healthcare workers would remain in demand because healthcare continues to be one of Georgia’s leading job-producing sectors.
Officials were also asked about the impact of artificial intelligence on Georgia’s workforce.
Holmes described AI as part of a rapidly evolving industrial transformation that would affect jobs, productivity and skill requirements. She said the state must continue investing in training connected to industries where employment and wages are growing.
Rather than viewing technology and human workers as competing forces, she said productivity could improve when automation and machine learning are combined with human judgment, creativity and communication.
Loeffler said AI could improve productivity, strengthen small businesses and help return some industries and operations to the United States. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring that communities benefit from technological investment.
Following the press conference, McCormick formally opened the job fair and encouraged employers and job seekers to begin connecting.
“Let’s get to work,” he said.
The event gave attendees the opportunity to speak directly with recruiters, submit résumés, learn about available positions and explore employment services. For organizers, the fair represented an effort to turn workforce statistics and economic growth into direct opportunities for Georgia residents.
