Two companies in Virginia are expanding operations in the state, adding 120 jobs as a result. Insurer GEICO is expanding its mid-Atlantic operations in Fredericksburg. The insurer plans to hire 70 customer-service counselors and sales counselors by the end of the year. The Fredericksburg office currently has more than 3,500 workers.

The ailing economy appears to be fueling an increased interest in public-safety jobs in the Richmond area, including among people who were laid off from positions in other fields.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. plans to hire up to 40 sales agents in the Richmond area. The local office, at 4880 Sadler Road in Glen Allen, already employs 75 people. The planned hirings are part of a nationwide drive to recruit up to 4,000 people to sell life insurance, disability income insurance and long-term care insurance.

Verizon is hiring workers in state 20-hours-per-week jobs are in Henrico; 30 full-timers are being hired in Roanoke Verizon Communications Inc. is hiring 60 part-time employees to work at the company’s customer-service center in Henrico County plus 30 full-time workers for its center in Roanoke. Starting wages here range from $12.51 per hour to $27.65 per hour, depending on experience and education, plus part-time benefits and paid training.

Some jobs are coming back to a Richmond-area food-processing plant less than a year after layoffs, while a Southside Virginia city announced a business investment yesterday that is expected to create 28 jobs. Tyson Foods Inc. confirmed yesterday that it is adding about 180 jobs for a new production line at its plant on U.S. 33 in Hanover County.

Nearly 200 more temporary—but relatively long-duration—jobs for mortgage professionals will be opening up in the Richmond area soon. Staffing firm Aerotek is looking for experienced mortgage processors and closers to help deal with a wave of refinancing, the Hanover, Md.-based company said. Aerotek is seeking to meet demand for mortgage processors and closers by early March. The jobs will last nine to 18 months and could become permanent, officials said.

With company after company announcing layoffs, Kings Dominion is hiring. And applicants are flocking—often from long distances—to put their names in for a job at the 400-acre theme park in Hanover County. Corky Donnelly and Jennifer Bondurant drove two hours last week from Berryville near Northern Virginia to apply for work at the park.