This is a time of mixed signals for sure. On one hand, government officials and financial analysts report our economy is growing again and that the era of job "letting" has eased. Within a few days we hear that consumer confidence is down, and spending has contracted leading to "fears" in the marketplace.
      I try and look at our local economy to see how we are faring, and I will be honest, I hear some discouraging comments as well as hopeful. The job market is very tough, but I am not telling you anything that you didn't already know.
      However, on the flip side there are some bright spots. Two weeks ago, the Olive Garden began hiring in anticipation of its March 15 opening. I just happened to pass by there on the day they began to hire. There was a line out of the door, and there had to be 75 to 100 people in that line.
      I visited with Darryl Webb, director of operations Olive Garden - Orlando division. He was on site, spearheading the overall hiring process for the new restaurant. When I spoke with him on February 19, he said that more than 700 job seekers had come to the location in the first three days.
      "We have had a wonderful turn out," Webb said. "I wouldn't say that it is necessarily a lot more than we have had at other newly built locations, but it is certainly very strong and also very diverse."
      Webb said they anticipate hiring 165 employees for the restaurant.
      "We will fill a variety of positions from the service side to the culinary side," Webb said. "And, we will continue to hire through March 5. We are looking for smiling faces, great people. Experience is not necessarily required, because, I feel that we have a great training program."
      Webb said the mission of Olive Garden is to deliver a genuine Italian dining experience.
      "We really do want our customers to feel like family," he said.
      Webb, and his co-workers don't just talk-the-talk, they walk-the-walk, and I saw it first hand the two times that I went there. As I waited to talk with Webb, a number of applicants came through the door, and it was late on Friday afternoon.
      The Olive Garden corporate employee that greeted them treated each with kindness and respect. You could not tell if there was a preferential candidate in the bunch. And this was after more than 700 individuals had walked through the front door over the last three days.
       I mentioned to Webb that I was impressed with the respect and professionalism that was shown each individual seeking a job in what are desperate times for some.
       "At Olive Garden, we truly believe that everyone that enters our doors is our guest, whether they are coming to dine with us, or applying for a job," Webb said. "Even if they don't get a job with us, they are still our guest and deserve to be treated as such."

  So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.
      Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com