HOLYOKE — Hundreds of people seeking employment with the medical marijuana facility being built at 28 Appleton St. or just information about the venture packed into Gateway City Arts for a job fair Monday.
“We will invest $8 million in this community right here at 28 Appleton St.,” said Peter Kadens, CEO of GTI Massachusetts NP Corp.
Jobs will be available as growers, trimmers and in curing and processing the marijuana plants, along with security, management and laboratory technicians, he said.
Jon Thomforde of GTI said 30 to 40 positions will be filled initially and then more in the first six months and then in the first year of operation.
Construction is mostly done on the first part of the facility and it is scheduled to open in January, he said.
Lines of people formed at six tables for interviews with GTI representatives. Kadens said the company would stay at Gateway City Arts on Race Street for as long as it took to ensure everyone received an interview.
Kadens also said the company in January will pay for lawyers to meet with people in the community who have had marijuana convictions that have hindered their ability to get jobs, to help them seal or expunge their records.
credit:masslive.com