5,000 jobs for veterans in Georgia

9:29 AM, Nov 10, 2011
Written by Jaye Watson

ATLANTA -- State Leaders are announcing a new program that will give jobs to 5,000 veterans in Georgia. Called Operation Enduring Opportunity Georgia, 400 franchises in the state are taking part, promising to give jobs to veterans and even help them be franchise small business owners.

Atlanta-based Aaron's is one of the franchisors taking part and has promised to hire 500 veterans by 2014.

The other 400 franchisors in Georgia promise to hire another 4500 veterans by that same time period.

And the program is nationwide with thousands of franchisors committed to hiring 75,000 veterans in the next two years.

"When a veteran comes back, one of the problems is 'What can I afford to do?'" said Greg Tanner with Aaron's. "One, we have to help him identify what he can afford. We put him with financial people who help him evaluate, and Veterans Affairs has financial opportunities to help him get into a business."

First Lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the program in Washington D.C. Thursday.

The announcement at Georgia's capitol is set for 10:30 a.m. Gov. Nathan Deal, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will all attend.

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/212 ... in-Georgia