CRESTVIEW — CareerSource Okaloosa Walton has closed its only North Okaloosa County service center on Wilson Street in Crestview.
The agency, which shut its local doors June 3, served job-hunting residents throughout the region for more than 20 years, including more than 10 years on Wilson Street.
Job seekers and businesses seeking workers can visit south Okaloosa County CareerSource offices in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force Base and Northwest Florida State College.
Career Source’s Shalimar administrative center does not provide public services.
The decision to shut down the office “was money,” CareerSource’s Liz Westby said while in Crestview last week for the annual veterans job fair.
LIMITED CRESTVIEW SERVICES
CareerSource hasn’t completely abandoned the county seat, however.
Crestview Public Library Director Marie Heath said her facility is in a “tentative relationship” with the agency to host job services several times a week.
Heath said the library and CareerSource are discussing a formal memorandum of understanding, but are currently offering services through an informal agreement.
“As long as it doesn't impede our staff, we can work things out to help each other out,” Heath said during a report to the Crestview City Council.
MOBILE UNIT
In addition to employment counselors holding office hours inside the library, “We have the mobile unit at the library providing job searches,” CareerSource’s Gabriela Leysath said.
The Mobile One-Stop bus provides 10 computers, printers and its own Wi-Fi network, Heath said.
“We are working with them (the library) to establish an ongoing schedule,” CareerSource Executive Director Linda Sumblin said.
Westby said CareerSource may investigate offering mobile unit hours at City Hall as well.
Sumblin said job hunters can also use CareerSource’s online services.
“Résumé writing, employment opportunities, everything you can do in bricks and mortar you can do online,” she said.
For business partners needing workers, CareerSource’s business services representative Anne Sheffield will keep office hours at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, Sumblin said.
DOING BUSINESS DIFFERENTLY
Sumblin said the decision to close the Crestview service center was “extremely difficult,” saying it was entirely made based on funding availability.
“We’re one of the very few (employment centers) that has had the luxury to have two centers in one county,” Sumblin said. “It was a very difficult decision for our board to make.”
CareerSource has not abandoned North Okaloosa County, Sumblin said, “We’re just doing a business a little bit differently.”
The service also constantly evaluates customers’ needs, she said, and could possibly reopen a Crestview office in the future.
“If we identify the need and have funding, we will certainly explore the option,” Sumblin said. “We don’t want to close the door totally.”
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ALTERNATIVE OFFICES
CareerSource Okaloosa-Walton has recently closed its Crestview office, but patrons can use these offices in neighboring communities, including three centers in south Okaloosa County:
● Fort Walton Beach Center, 409 Racetrack Road NE, 833-7587
● Emerald Coast Technical College, 761 North 20th St., DeFuniak Springs, 520-5990
● Eglin Education Center, Building 251, Room 114; 502 West D Ave., Eglin AFB, 882-1446 or 279-6414
● Northwest Florida State College, Student Career Center, Student Services, Building 410, Room 129, 100 College Blvd. E., Niceville, 729-4994
CRESTVIEW SERVICES
CareerSource Okaloosa Walton’s Mobile One-Stop unit will be at the Crestview Public Library Thursday, and next Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 23, 27 and 29.
CareerSource Okaloosa-Walton has recently closed its Crestview office, but patrons can use these offices in neighboring communities, including three centers in south Okaloosa County:
● Fort Walton Beach Center, 409 Racetrack Road NE, 833-7587
● Emerald Coast Technical College, 761 North 20th St., DeFuniak Springs, 520-5990
● Eglin Education Center, Building 251, Room 114; 502 West D Ave., Eglin AFB, 882-1446 or 279-6414
● Northwest Florida State College, Student Career Center, Student Services, Building 410, Room 129, 100 College Blvd. E., Niceville, 729-4994
CRESTVIEW SERVICES
CareerSource Okaloosa Walton’s Mobile One-Stop unit will be at the Crestview Public Library Thursday, and next Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 23, 27 and 29.
ALTERNATIVE OFFICES
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CareerSource closes Crestview office