Approximately 50 people showed up at a job fair for Big Rock Sports Tuesday afternoon at the Rockingham office of the Employment Security Commission.

Perhaps none of them were more desperate to get a job with the sporting goods company than Aubrey Lomax.

“I’d like to get an interview,” Lomax said, as he waited to be called back with the groups of five that were being called. “I submitted my application last week, with my resume and my WorkKeys and everything, so it’s been five or six days, and I’m pretty anxious.”

He said he’s been depending on his mother’s fixed income to keep things afloat as he’s battled with unemployment for a year.

“I’m relying on an 86-year-old woman, if I don’t get this I’ll probably lose my house and my car and everything,” Lomax said. “I need this bad. I’d jump through hoops to get this.”

Beside him William Singletary stood waiting.

“I’ve been out of work since January. I know she hasn’t seen it yet. Really, I just wanted to see what was available. Being employed is better than being unemployed.”

Singletary said joblessness has been especially hard on him because he worked for the railroads, so he can’t draw unemployment.

People were called back into a room with two trifold displays in groups of five to speak with a Big Rock representative.

Last week the company was announced as the new occupant of a 310,000 square-foot distribution center in the Richmond County Industrial Park.

Richmond County Economic Development Director Rick Sago previously reported the company will employ between 100 and 150 people in its new facility once it is fully operational, and their average wage will be $12.22 an hour including benefits.

Big Rock is the parent company of All Sports, CSI Sports, Henry’s and MT Sports.

Collectively, these companies service more than 15,000 hunting and fishing retailers, and employ more than 650 people, according to the company’s own statistics.

Charles Vandermark was excited to have a chance to meet face-to-face with someone from Richmond County’s newest employer, as he stood with application and resume in hand.

“It’s about the only opportunity in Richmond County right now,” he said. “I’m all set, I’ve put in two or three applications already, so I’m ready to hear what they’ve got to say.”

After Vandermark met with the representatives of the company, he paused to share his thoughts.

“Hopefully I got it, but I can’t get too excited,” he said. “I’m still in Richmond County.”

“It’s been a great turnout,” ESC Local Office Manager Judy Carpenter said. “We had about 50 people show up.”

She said one thing the whole application process for Big Rock Sports has done is encourage people to get the WorkKeys Career Readiness Certificate from the community college system.

“She said that they’re already reviewing applications and calling people in, so they’re starting to make some offers and really get started hiring,” Carpenter said.

“I really didn’t have any expectations as far as numbers went,” said Big Rock Sports Human Resources Manager Adrienne Harris. “We have specific requirements, a high school diploma and WorkKeys, and other than that, we’re just here to talk to people and answer any questions they have.”

Deborah Peterkin also waited in the lobby to be called back, but she wasn’t putting all her eggs in one basket.

“I’ve already submitted my application back in April, and I didn’t realize we had to take the WorkKeys until now, so I’m going to have to go back and do that,” she said. “So today I’m going to ask some questions about the company, and also get more job referrals.”

Not everyone was out-of-work, some wanted to escape part-time status. Charles Rollins was one such applicant.

“I’d just like to have a full-time job,” he said.