Kansas City creates veterans hiring preference for discharged vets

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The City Of Kansas City is reaching out to hundreds of veterans who are coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq who need to find a job in the civilian world.

City Hall is creating a hiring preference for honorably discharged veterans who have served in the military for at least six months.

Debbie Wilson of the Kansas City Veterans' Administration said veterans have a harder time with finding jobs after enlistment than most people think.

"You're trying to fit back into your family, and on top of that you can't get a job to help support your family," Wilson said. "So your wife or your husband is going to have to pick up more because you've come back here and suddenly you're of no use to anybody."

There is also help for veterans who want to start their own business; the city has set aside microloan funds that can range from $500 to $50,000.

For more information on city jobs, visit the City Of Kansas City's website at www.KCMO.org.

To find out more about the microloan program, contact the city's Bizcare Office at (816) 513-2492.