Bureau of Labor Statistics Names Manatee County As Having the Greatest Job Loss in Nation

BRADENTON -- According to statistics, from December 2009 to December 2010, Manatee County  Fla. experienced the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment among the largest counties in the U.S. with a loss of 4 percent. The BLS concluded that within Manatee, professional and business services were the largest contributor to the decrease in employment with a loss of 14 percent.

”If you take a look at the national and local economies – it is really tough out there,“ said Interim Executive Director of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Sharon Hillstrom. ”In Manatee County, we had a significant decrease primarily through construction loss.“

Since March 2010, construction jobs in Florida have decreased 52 percent from the state’s peak in June 2006, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Manatee suffered the greatest, followed by Volusia and Marion counties.

When homes weren’t selling, contractors were out of work. Although construction jobs have declined, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce assures residents that last year’s statistic is not necessarily reflective of what’s going on today. The organization is working to promote manufacturing jobs in order to replace those lost in the construction industry.

”Since 2009, manufacturing jobs have actually gone up 3.1 percent,“ said Hillstrom. ”Our goal is to diversify the economy so we are not so focused in one sector.“

In a joint effort, the Manatee Economic Council along with the Manatee County Government has created an incentive program estimated to attract over 46 companies to the area within the next five years. These companies predict they will  provide over 4,000 jobs for the region.

”We’ve created an incentive program for companies that provide a certain number of jobs above the average wage in Manatee County,“ said Hillstrom. ”That average wage is $34,448; in order to qualify for these incentives, they have provide salaries greater than that amount.“

Of course to create jobs, residents have a duty contribute to job growth. Buying local and supporting community commerce is all part of the process to a sustainable economy.

”It won’t happen overnight, but I think that Manatee County will have carefully thought-out and sustainable economy once we get through all of this,“ said Hillstrom.