One San Diego-based company is hiring.
Jensen Meats in Otay Mesa is looking to triple the size of its manufacturing facility.
On Wednesday, the company held a job fair looking for prospective new employees to fill 200 open positions.
At one point, the line of applicants stretched to the back of the company’s parking lot and curved around the building.
Jensen Meats had the chance to move to Texas or Colorado but Mayor Jerry Sanders said he was able to work with the Otay Chamber and others, to not only keep the jobs here in San Diego but to add new ones.
The company is hiring people with all kinds of skill sets on board from forklift operators to data-entry workers.
One applicant who has been out of work for four months said he’s ready to get back to work.
"I'm hoping to land the job, that's what I'm hoping for,” said Gerardo Almarez.
This isn’t the first job interview he’s been to recently and Almarez said he’s been able to pick up some work here and there but he needs to find steady, consistent employment to support his family.
“So I heard about this job fair and I shot down here as quick as possible,” he said.
"It was a blessing that this company decided to come here,” said Mark Smith. “We need as many opportunities as possible right here in San Diego."
The expansion is expected to open at the beginning of 2013 but the company said some of the 200 new positions will began right away.
In fact, some applicants could begin their new jobs as early as next week.
