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In conjunction with Iowa Workforce Development’s 2009 Job Expo on April 28, a new social networking site focused on Central Iowa will kick off.

MetroLinkz.com is an extension of VerticalLinkz Inc., a Waukee-based company that has developed a social networking platform it is using to start networking sites focused on various niches, including green business and the mortgage industry.

One of the first regionally focused networking sites in the nation, MetroLinkz is designed to help people connect on the social and professional levels, with features including a social calendar, career center (still in the works), personal and professional profiles (with a notebook feature similar to “the wall” on Facebook.com), and blogs.

“The way people are looking for jobs today, it just seems like the right time to have a tool like this,” said Cassandra Halls, who is leading the site’s development.

An initial pre-launch attracted about 200 users in a week, and Halls has been working with Right Management, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Iowa Workforce Development to promote it. Halls hopes the site will eventually be funded by advertising, employers paying to post job openings and other means.

A networking event will take place after the career fair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Halls said this will be the first of many events around the community designed to help people connect online and in person.

The job expo is from 1 to 6 p.m. at the same location. For more details, go to www.iowaworkforce.org/jobfair.asp.