EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. -- This week Congress is looking at extending unemployment insurance, now that jobless claims benefits are said to be at a 16-year high. But there is some good economic news to be found.

KMBC's Maria Antonio spoke with a local staffing agency that is desperately trying to fill job openings.

Flexible Staffing in Excelsior Springs is calling people to ask them to come in and apply for the jobs.

Debra Malone invites job seekers to come into her staffing agency to apply to work for the companies she calls her customers.

Brad Mitchell, who recently lost an auto-industry-related job, said, "You can put me in manufacturing anywhere, and I can do the job."

Flexible Staffing arranges work as temporary, temporary to hire, or direct hire.

"No, we do not take any money out of their wages," said Malone. According to her, it's the companies, not the job seekers, who pay for Flexible Staffing's services.

Malone pointed out one customer, "A job order company wants 20 people, 20 people full-time with benefits once they go on to their payroll."

All Flexibile Staffing wants is qualified applicants.

Malone said, "We're looking for people with high school education, or G.E.D. People with no felony convictions, verifiable employment, also drug and alcohol free, and people who want jobs."

Flexible Staffing of Clay County finds jobs in many fields, including light industrial, assembly, retail, clerical and accounting.

Some of the jobs currently being staffed are: receptionist, at $10 an hour; customer service representative at $11-$12 an hour starting pay; and delivery driver (Class A or B driver's license) at $14 an hour.

To ask about these or other open positions, call Flexible Staffing at 816-630-4600, fax at 816-630-4606, or e-mail at flxstff2@aol.com.