ATLANTA (March 23, 2020) – The Cobb Chamber and its economic development initiative SelectCobb are partnering with Cobb Travel & Tourism to conduct a workforce matching effort between commercial cleaning and janitorial service companies and hospitality and tourism entities. With Cobb County’s companies and organizations amplifying cleaning and sanitizing efforts, the commercial cleaning and janitorial service companies have been fielding increased requests for disinfecting services. They have realized a need for increasing their staffing, while many hotels and tourist attractions have had to conduct staff layoffs.
“Recognizing the opportunity for collaboration and community support, we reached out to Cobb Travel & Tourism (CT&T) to connect our commercial cleaning and janitorial service members with local hotels. Our goal is to address the workforce needs of both industries and keep more people employed during this difficult economic time,” said Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “As more companies and homeowners begin calling for disinfecting services, there will be higher demand and additional workforce needs will arise.”
With the hospitality and tourism industry grinding to a halt across Cobb County and the country, an immediate, negative ripple effect is causing hotels to furlough or layoff a large number of their employees. Based on current occupancy estimates, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) estimates four million total jobs have been eliminated already or are on the verge of being lost in the next few weeks.
“Today, the hospitality industry is being challenged in unprecedented ways, with many hotels and organizations furloughing or laying off large numbers of employees,” said Holly Quinlan, president & CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. “Connecting former hospitality employees with cleaning / janitorial companies who are accepting applications through workforce matching is an important way that Cobb Travel & Tourism and the Cobb Chamber are helping to keep people employed. These efforts meet an immediate need for two different industries that can support each other during challenging times.
The outreach has been greatly appreciated; the response from the hospitality community has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“Finding new ways to collaborate, like workforce matching, just strengthens the longstanding partnership between CT&T and the Cobb Chamber and demonstrates how each organization’s outreach compliments the others. CT&T looks forward to continuing to partner with the Cobb Chamber on new and progressive projects and initiatives,” said Quinlan.
The outreach has been greatly appreciated; the response from the hospitality community has been overwhelmingly positive. The following commercial cleaning and janitorial service companies are participating in this workforce matching effort:
- AA Top Home Care
- All Pro Cleaning Systems
- Diamond Glow Cleaning
- Jan-Pro
- PCT Clean
- The Service Fort
- South Property Partners
- Stratus Building Solutions of Atlanta
For more information on this workforce matching effort, contact Dana Johnson, COO and Executive Director of SelectCobb at the Cobb Chamber, at 770-859-2358 or djohnson@cobbchamber.org.
About the Cobb Chamber
At the Cobb Chamber, we believe in the power of ambition. Through our wealth of programming and partnerships, we unite the region’s most innovative, informed, and determined people so that they can achieve more. And through our advocacy and initiatives, we ensure that our county is a healthy place to do business. While our members span industry, background, and experience, we share a common desire: to see Cobb County flourish. For more information, visit www.cobbchamber.org.
About SelectCobb
Devoted to fostering strong economic development in Cobb County, SelectCobb is a partnership that works to attract top-tier enterprises and talent. With our county’s impressive array of competitive advantages to support growth — a world-class workforce, a healthy business climate, and an enviable location — we’re excited to welcome even more of the world’s trailblazers and industry leaders. Because when more businesses select Cobb, we bring investment, opportunity, and jobs home. For more information, visit www.selectcobb.com.
About Cobb Travel & Tourism
Cobb Travel & Tourism is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization, working to bring visitors to Cobb County. Cobb Travel & Tourism is the only organization positioned to market Cobb County and all of its assets as a 365-day destination. As the leading industry in Cobb County, tourism has significant economic impact. Tourism represents a $3.15 billion economic impact and supports more than 43,000 jobs. Tourism in Cobb County created $86.99 million in state tax revenues and generated $51.33 million for Cobb and its cities in tax revenues. Each Cobb household would need to be taxed an additional $499 per year to replace taxes generated by tourism activity.
Media Contacts
Amy Selby | aselby@cobbchamber.org | 770-859-2350
Lindsey Burruss | lburruss@travelcobb.org | 678-303-2627
