Sumner County casino looking to hire 400 people

(SUMNER COUNTY, Kan.) — Four-hundred jobs are open in Sumner County. The Kansas Star Casino is hiring everything from blackjack dealers to a pastry chef. The job postings couldn't be coming at a better time, since Sumner County has the highest unemployment rate in south central Kansas. It's at 8%, but Sedgwick County is not far behind at 7.9%.

"I think it's terrific. We tend to think it's too soon, gosh it's going to be a year before it's open. But they have a lot of people they have to hire," said Sumner County Economic Development Director Janis Hellard. Hellard says it takes time to find people to cover every aspect of the casino business. "They have to have them in place and trained, so you have to start the process pretty early to get it all done," she said.

The casino has already received 350 applications, which isn't surprising to Hellard.  "With the number of people out of work right now, this is a welcome thing for those looking for work." The spokeswoman for Kansas Star says it will still be a while before they hire a majority of workers. But she says by applying on-line now, they'll keep your information and update you on the hiring process. She says the focus right now is finding a human resource director. They are conducting a state-wide search for the position.

Hellard says the hiring process will draw people from all over. "We know we don't have that many people in Sumner County to fill all of those jobs, it's going to benefit the whole region," she said. And she says this is just the beginning, the benefits will continue once construction starts. Construction is supposed to start in the first quarter of this year. The company also plans to open an office in Mulvane next month.