Lima’s Surge Staffing branch, located at 543 W. North St., is hosting a “Turn Over a New Leaf” job fair on Thursday, Sept. 24. The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers attendees a chance to view available openings, partake in onboarding and pre-screening, and potentially get set up for employment, according to Surge Staffing. The fair will also feature snacks, drinks, games, and prizes throughout the day.
This job fair comes as Jessica Woodford, branch manager for Lima Surge Staffing, reports a significant demand for both employees and job seekers across the northwest Ohio job market. Woodford, who took over management of the Lima location in February, said she has been surprised by the high number of people seeking employment and the corresponding difficulty employers face in filling open positions.
The Lima branch of Surge Staffing is described as a “very high-volume branch,” with a consistent flow of individuals needing jobs, she explained. Woodford noted that the branch is currently operating at more billable hours than when it first opened.
According to Woodford, the most significant demand for positions typically comes from the manufacturing and industrial sectors. While Surge Staffing occasionally handles clerical and janitorial roles, these industrial jobs represent the agency's primary needs. She also mentioned a waitlist for specific skilled positions, including welding, forklift operation, and warehouse jobs.
A major challenge in serving the Lima area’s workforce is transportation, Woodford stated. Many job seekers either lack reliable transportation or require job placements that align with local bus routes. Surge Staffing partners with OhioMeansJobs to offer transportation assistance for those living and working within Allen County. However, the agency maintains a "local waitlist" for individuals who can only work nearby due to transportation limitations. Woodford noted that openings that fit these local requirements are filled very quickly, often lasting "not for more than a couple of hours."
Jessica Woodford joined Surge Staffing in June 2025, driven by a passion for helping people. She previously spent 10 years as a service administrator for a car dealership. She started her career with Surge in St. Marys, becoming the branch manager there in December, before adding the Lima location to her management responsibilities in February. Surge Staffing operates over 200 locations nationwide, and its Lima branch connects residents to temporary through permanent positions at 20 to 25 businesses across various industries in Lima, Columbus Grove, Ottawa, Wapakoneta, and other regional sites.
Woodford expressed personal satisfaction in her work, emphasizing the importance of helping individuals get on their feet. She reflected on how her current role, assisting people with "life necessities," provides a deeper impact compared to her previous work. Her focus is on assisting "as many people as possible," ensuring both employer satisfaction by meeting client standards and candidate happiness in their new roles, including adherence to attendance bonuses and dress codes.