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Detroit To Host June Job Fair For Veterans

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit will host an annual conference and job fair for veterans this summer that organizers say could inject $3 million into the local economy.

Mayor Dave Bing and Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff John Gingrich said Wednesday that Detroit's Cobo Center was selected to host this year's National Veterans Small Business Conference, which will take place June 25-29.

"Our Detroit hiring fair will provide veterans with on-the-spot job opportunities and interviews, while also offering career search classes and one-on-one counseling," Gingrich said.

Nearly 5,000 people, including veterans, business owners and federal workers, attended last year's event in New Orleans, and organizers expect more than 6,000 to attend this year's.

More than 4,000 veterans attended a similar job fair in Washington this month, during which over 2,600 on-site interviews took place and more than 500 tentative job offers were made.

"Veterans are crucial to our economy, and we need to find them jobs," Gingrich said.

Michigan is home to more than 700,000 veterans and about 330,000 are served by the VA medical center in Detroit, Veterans Affairs officials said.

Find more information on the conference and job fair at www.nationalveteransconference.com.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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