Local trucking agency Expedited Transport Agency Inc. (ETA) has plans to hire 32 additional people in 2023 and invite those who may struggle finding jobs elsewhere to apply.

Founded in 2014 by Tim Cross and Jim Rikard, the Vestavia Hills based company describes themselves as a “supply chain problem solver” and offers both hauling services and logistics solutions for inventory carrying issues faced by large companies according to a recent press release.

ETA also describes themselves as a “Second Chance Employer”, meaning they employ people with criminal records or people in addiction recovery.

“From a guy like me who was one step away from ending up at the Salvation Army because I had nowhere to go, I think it’s really important that people get supported personally so that they do have an opportunity to recover and can go on and have a great life,” said Cross when sharing his own struggles with addiction.

Earlier this year there were thousands of jobs open in the Birmingham area that outnumbered the unemployed population 5 to 1 according to Census data and job postings on employment website ZipRecruiter as the Lede previously reported.