Economists: Columbus Remains Georgia's Star in Georgia's Wobbly Economy (Savannah: 2014, job market)

[Columbus1984]

Great article today in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer about Columbus remaining Georgia's economic star for the next few years. Here are the main points from the article:

The Georgia economy is now in a wobbly recovery that will take three to four years before pre-recession levels of growth and job creation return.

Columbus, however, remains somewhat of a shining star in the state and should heal more rapidly in 2011 and into 2012 because of military and industrial projects now in the pipeline.

The economists still see Columbus being the top performer in the state in terms of metro areas in 2010 and 2011.

[LEFT]Augusta and Savannah and some of the others may start to catch up.

Most notable is the highly touted and heavily anticipated transfer of the U.S. Army Armor Center and School to Fort Benning, a move that is already well under way in terms of construction.

The military estimates the local population will grow by about 28,000 once the dust settles.

Then there’s Kia Motors America starting up its massive auto assembly plant last fall in nearby West Point with plans to expand its production line this year. That company also has spawned a legion of auto parts suppliers in the area.

Other names that are either in start-up or expansion phase include ATM manufacturer NCR Corp., refrigeration equipment maker Kysor/Warren and wholesale food distributor Nash Finch Co.

[LEFT]Both Vitner and Humphreys project Georgia’s job market to remain worse than pre-recession levels possibly until 2014.


[/LEFT]


Read more: Economists: Columbus remains star in wobbly Georgia economy - News - Ledger-Enquirer.com (http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/08/01/1213867/economists-columbus-remains-star.html#ixzz0vMivwBmD - broken link)
[/LEFT]

[ChrisLedgerColumbus1984]

The constant revamping of recovery dates for Columbus makes these articles very questionable as I have read countless posts on here(many by same poster) claiming this area to be the holy grail of jobs.Truthfully it is just not here.

[Sharon1971]

Chris,Just to let you know we are still in planning stages for our first ever Columbus GA gay pride fest this fall and hope to have more info soon.This should definitely be a big money maker bringing hundreds in the gay community from all over the south and the weather will be much cooler~~Talk to you soon

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by ChrisLedgerColumbus1984

The constant revamping of recovery dates for Columbus makes these articles very questionable as I have read countless posts on here(many by same poster) claiming this area to be the holy grail of jobs.Truthfully it is just not here.

Never said it was the holy grail. All of this doesn't take place until 2011-2012 time frame. Let the economists do their jobs...that's what they went to school for. Time will tell. I am extremely optimistic about this areas future.

[JLA]

Fortunately for the Columbus/Phenix City/Auburn/Opelika/La Grange area things have really started to turn around. New companies are hiring. Old companies are expanding and hiring. People are spending money again. Of course not all sectors are doing well. That dreaded financial sector (Synovous, Inc.) is still stuck in hell, but they are ridding themselves of their toxic properties and they should be purgatory soon.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by JLA

Fortunately for the Columbus/Phenix City/Auburn/Opelika/La Grange area things have really started to turn around. New companies are hiring. Old companies are expanding and hiring. People are spending money again. Of course not all sectors are doing well. That dreaded financial sector (Synovous, Inc.) is still stuck in hell, but they are ridding themselves of their toxic properties and they should be purgatory soon.

Compared to the country, our region is doing much better. Still have a long way to go, but we are in a much better place/position compared to other areas.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Compared to the country, our region is doing much better. Still have a long way to go, but we are in a much better place/position compared to other areas.

You're correct. It's a nice problem to have.

[ollieo24]

I do believe our area is doing much better than most and we do know what's coming our way. If the naysayers don't believe it, then just drive to the Fort Benning area and see for themselves. All the construction wouldn't be going on if it wasn't going to happen. I look forward to seeing what our area is going to be like in a year from now.

The economy is still sluggish though. Unemployment is still high, but there have been a lot of jobs announced. The Fresh Market (grocery store) hired 99 people and it will open next week, I believe. I know it may not be the highest paying jobs, but that was 99 new jobs in our area. I think some people collecting unemployment are just lazy and would rather do nothing until their checks run out.

If NCR, Kysor/Warren, Nash Finch, KIA actually do hire all the people they say they are going to hire, then we will be headed in the right direction.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by ollieo24

I do believe our area is doing much better than most and we do know what's coming our way. If the naysayers don't believe it, then just drive to the Fort Benning area and see for themselves. All the construction wouldn't be going on if it wasn't going to happen. I look forward to seeing what our area is going to be like in a year from now.

The economy is still sluggish though. Unemployment is still high, but there have been a lot of jobs announced. The Fresh Market (grocery store) hired 99 people and it will open next week, I believe. I know it may not be the highest paying jobs, but that was 99 new jobs in our area. I think some people collecting unemployment are just lazy and would rather do nothing until their checks run out.

If NCR, Kysor/Warren, Nash Finch, KIA actually do hire all the people they say they are going to hire, then we will be headed in the right direction.

Excellent post Ollieo24, welcome to the Columbus Forum!

[JLA]

Originally Posted by ollieo24

I do believe our area is doing much better than most and we do know what's coming our way. If the naysayers don't believe it, then just drive to the Fort Benning area and see for themselves. All the construction wouldn't be going on if it wasn't going to happen. I look forward to seeing what our area is going to be like in a year from now.

The economy is still sluggish though. Unemployment is still high, but there have been a lot of jobs announced. The Fresh Market (grocery store) hired 99 people and it will open next week, I believe. I know it may not be the highest paying jobs, but that was 99 new jobs in our area. I think some people collecting unemployment are just lazy and would rather do nothing until their checks run out.

If NCR, Kysor/Warren, Nash Finch, KIA actually do hire all the people they say they are going to hire, then we will be headed in the right direction.

I agree some, not all are just sitting on the behinds collect unemployment. All those companies that you have mentioned are in the process of hiring and will hire more in the future. The Valley area is doing quite well under the circumstances.