DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – More than 800 people applied to work at Bass Pro Shops after a three-day job fair. The store is just one of several coming to town, an expansion that will bring in jobs and boost the local economy.
"It's been a great turnout. We probably will fill our staff through this job fair," said Todd Blanchard, general manager of Bass Pro Shops.
A mock Bass Pro shop filled Daytona International Speedway as management interviewed potential employees while the real store is under construction.
"We want to be the ones, the preferred retailer for those outdoor enthusiasts," Blanchard said.
Enthusiasts such as Andrew Gilbert stopped by for an interview.
"As soon as I heard they were building one here, I had to come and apply," he said.
Bass Pro Shops is part of One Daytona, a destination that'll be filled with a movie theater, restaurants, hotels and shopping.
"I'm glad to see more development and more options. It still has the old Daytona feel to it, but having new amenities will really improve the area," Gilbert said.
It will also bring in hundreds of permanent jobs, and that's not counting the 800 jobs at Tanger Outlets Mall, which opens Friday morning.
Many folks said it's a great time to be a part of all the new development in Volusia County.
"The fact that this market is going through a transition that it's going through right now, I've heard so much positive reaction to all the jobs. Everybody doesn't happen travel to Orlando or St Augustine anymore, they can all just stay right here in their little area and do their shopping," Blanchard said.
One Daytona officials said they don't have a final count of jobs created because they're not done with the hiring process.
Bass Pro Shops is expected to open early next year.