High schoolers, local businesses connect during Decatur Co. Opportunity Expo

Juniors and seniors from North, South and Greensburg attended

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – More than 500 high schoolers attended the Decatur County Opportunity Expo on Wednesday. 

The event was hosted by the Economic Development Corporation of Greensburg/Decatur County (EDC) and the Greensburg JAG Program.

Juniors and seniors from North Decatur, South Decatur and Greensburg had the opportunity to learn about various career paths from 65 local businesses. 

In total, there were over 110 entry-level job opportunities, 26 internships, and 31 part-time or summer employment positions available.

Students also had access to valuable career resources, including resume feedback and free professional headshots, helping them prepare for future job searches.

“Honda is proud to support the Decatur County Opportunity Expo,” said Stephanie Spillman, Honda Workforce Partnerships. “This is a great event for students to learn more about career opportunities in manufacturing, and we are excited to partner with the community in driving this initiative forward.”

Ferguson Construction, another key participant, emphasized the importance of events like these in building a strong local workforce.

"Events like the Opportunity Expo are invaluable because they connect us with individuals who are eager to explore careers in construction, and we want to be a place where anyone with a passion for the industry can build a lifelong career," said Arnold Thompson, Field Resources Manager.

The event also highlighted the value of mentorship and networking, bringing together professionals from different industries to engage with students.

 “I think the importance of the event comes from not only the positions offered but the diverse people in the room,” said Emma Luttel, EDC Project Coordinator. “Everyone in attendance today has something valuable to offer, whether it’s career advice, a job opportunity, or a new perspective; and each of them are here to invest in our students.”

In addition to networking and job exploration, students heard from guest speakers Jennifer Tyra of River Valley Resources - JAG Region 9 and Jeramiah McAdams from Decatur County Juvenile Probation, who shared insights on career pathways and personal development.

The expo also raised more than $10,000 raised for the Teacher Workforce Preparation Grant, a program supporting educators who foster career exploration and workforce readiness in Decatur County.