Raleigh, N.C. — Routing applications for jobs at the North Carolina State Fair through the state Employment Security Commission has benefits beyond keeping job-seekers out of long lines at the State Fairgrounds, officials say.

Bonnie Mills, assistant manager of the ESC office in Raleigh, said the revamped application process should help some unemployed people even after the fair ends by matching them with job openings other employers have filed with the state agency.

"(We're) trying to make these job matches between the type of work that the individual has done and that we have in our database that are needing to be filled," Mills said. "There are a lot of people that are looking for work right now."

Lucinda Sager, who worked as a graphic designer for 30 years before losing her job four months ago, said she filed an application at the ESC office hoping to make a little money at the State Fair.

"I never thought I'd be trying to get a job at the North Carolina State Fair. I never thought I'd be here," Sager said. "(But) money would be good right now. Money pays our bills and keeps our car going and keeps food in the pantry."

At least 2,000 people have filed applications at the Raleigh office for the 350 or so jobs at the State Fair. Jobs include construction, maintenance and customer service positions.

Officials will start placing people in the part-time jobs on Monday, and applications will be accepted through Oct. 23.

The State Fair opens Oct. 15 and runs through Oct. 25.