Officials with the Union Workforce Center of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission say opportunities for jobs are increasing, but they are often in areas that require a commute.

Couple that with the fact that a person may have been without a job for a while and is strapped for funds to buy gas, and it can present a problem.

To help make commuting more affordable, a Community Ride Share Board is available at the Union Workforce Center on 440 North Duncan By-Pass.

“The purpose of the board is to make it possible for people to connect with others in Union County who are working in areas such as Newberry, Clinton, Cliffside, N.C.; Gaffney and Spartanburg,” said Melody Brutkiewicz, job developer at the Union Workforce Center. “You can post your contact information on the board if you are looking for a ride, looking for riders or looking to car pool. There is room to post what time you are leaving Union and what time you are returning as well as the days of the week you work. This is a great opportunity to think green and same some ‘green’ as well.”

Ms. Brutkiewicz said because of liability reasons, Workforce Center employees can’t personally pair a worker with another worker who needs a ride.

She said several Union County residents have gotten jobs at a Duke Power construction site in Cliffside, N.C., which is a 47-mile commute.

Things seem to be picking up economically, she said. The number of jobs posted in the Workforce Center system as well as the number of placements has doubled since Ms. Brutkiewicz said.

“We try to provide people with opportunities to get off the unemployment rolls,” said Irvin Goodwin, assistant area director with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. “Everyone who comes in who is unemployed is counseled and referred to job opportunities.”