Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, SD - Rather than packing a suitcase and visiting home for the holiday season, leaders in Aberdeen are asking people to load a truck and move back home.

With its numerous jobs available this year, the city is recruiting friends, family and alumni.

As the Sanford Hospital in Aberdeen prepares to open next year, it's already getting its staff in place. Becky Washnok has filled one of the positions. She grew up in Groton.

"I've been in Wyoming since graduating from Presentation College. And I've always been looking to come back home to be closer to family and friends," Washnok said.

But in order to make the move, she wanted an opportunity that would further her career. With a management position, that's what she found.

Community leaders such as Julie Johnson with Absolutely! Aberdeen are trying to get the word out that there are several professional opportunities to draw alumni to town.

"Well, we would believe that folks who've had experiences in South Dakota want to come back," Johnson said.

And the skill set being recruited range from doctors to accountants to manual labor and anything in between. Johnson is happy with recruitment efforts so far while adding there's plenty more to do.

"We can't give up. We still have a lot of job creation yet to take care of here. But we are happy with how it's going," Johnson said.

Back at Sanford, Washnok is glad to be back home and for the job opportunity she has. And as she stays with family while waiting for her house in Wyoming to sell, she's thankful for the perks that come with moving back home as well.

"If you're moving to a town where you don't have the support, you don't have people you know, it does make it much more difficult," Washnok said.

And that's a message leaders in Aberdeen are trying to spread to alumni this holiday season.

With the demand for workers in Aberdeen, some employers are adding additional incentives to attract employees.

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