It cuts both ways. As an enterprising way to address the widespread job cuts in Clinton County, a local event featuring free hair cuts done by scores of stylists will be held the first Sunday in May.

A brainchild of Wilmington City Councilman Rob Jaehnig, “The Big Cut” is expected to involve between 150 to 200 barbers and stylists, with the hope that as many as 2,000 to 2,500 people will take advantage of this “free enterprise.”

Jaehnig said his background as a hiring manager made him aware unemployed people often cut costs by foregoing hair cuts or, at least, getting them done on a less frequent basis.

“People tend to get a little shaggy,” he said Thursday during a city council meeting where the announcement was made.

The offer of a free-of-charge hair cut is being made to unemployed persons and their families, said Jaehnig.

The event will be run on a voucher system, with vouchers to be available at several places such as Sugartree Ministries, the transition centers, Clinton County Community Action Program and schools.

Two requirements to receive the free hair care is to have freshly washed, clean hair and not to have head lice.

Wielding the scissors will be students from Carousel Beauty College and Laurel Oaks, plus stylists from Brenz Salon and Divine Image.

To be held at Wilmington High School, there will be lots of young community volunteers assisting in a variety of ways, Jaehnig said. Kroger and Generations Pizzeria will feed the stylists and volunteers as the collaborative beat goes on.

The event will help people look good as 2009 moves into springtime — and hopefully more job opportunities and more job interviews, said Jaehnig.

It also will help keep the spotlight on the community’s creativity in dealing with the major and pressing problem of local unemployment and related distress, the councilman added.

Additional licensed cosmetologists and barbers are welcome to participate.

People interested in volunteering in some fashion or another should call Jaehnig at 937-728-6557 or e-mail him at rljaehnig@yahoo.com.