More than 200 local and Mainland businesses and organizations looking to recruit new workers amid one of the tightest job markets in recent memory will attend the Job Quest job fair next week at the Blaisdell Center.

The number of businesses and organizations signed up to attend Wednesday's event equals the record numbers at the previous job fair in September, and includes several first-time recruiters.

"This is a clear indication that the state's economy remains strong as we head into 2007," said Beth Busch, executive director of Job Quest and president of Success Advertising.

More than 20 companies and organizations will be recruiting at the job fair for the first time, including Aloha Shoyu, Big City Diner, BMW Hawaii, Lowes, the Hawaii Stevedores and the YMCA.

Hawai'i's unemployment rate of 2.3 percent in November was the lowest of any state and well below the national average of 4.5 percent.

The jobless rate is forecast to remain at 3 percent or lower during the next few years, according to local economists.