Jackson Free Press

Despite suffering its worst recession in three decades, Jackson's economy is recovering faster than many U.S. cities. Jackson was one of only 10 metropolitan areas in the country--almost all of them in the South--to experience positive job growth in the last quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, according to a report issued yesterday by the Brookings Institution.

Using the Brookings data, the Huffington Post yesterday named Jackson one of 11 cities "that are beating the recession." Jonathan Lee, president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said that the positive news was not surprising, given the city's economic foundation.

"Our local economy is based on education, health care and government and none of those are really getting smaller," Lee said.

Lee noted that local health-care institutions like the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Central Mississippi Medical Center are adding jobs, along with other area employers like Saks, Inc.

Duane O'Neill, president of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, concurred: "I think it really goes back to having such a strong health-care community, government, and education. You throw those three in and how many jobs that impacts in this metro market, it helps us in rankings like this, because they did not suffer like some industry sectors did."

Compared to its previous peak, the Jackson metro area's gross metropolitan product was 1.1 percent higher in the first quarter of 2010, according to the Brooking's report. Employment in the city has suffered slightly because of the recession. Unemployment in the Jackson metro area is still 3.3 percent higher than it was in March 2007. Only nine cities can boast smaller increases in unemployment over the same period, however.

Jackson's recovery is more notable given the odds against it. The Brookings report considers the recent "Great Recession" the most severe downturn for Jackson since 1981. Using the percentage of employment recovered nine quarters after the start of a recession, the report finds that the recent recession has had a longer lasting negative impact than recessions in 1981, 1990 and 2001.

If metro area governments and business leaders draw a lesson from the recession, it should be to focus on the industries that have helped Jackson weather the economic storm, O'Neill said.

"We've tried to use the times that we've gone through to prepare ourselves for those industry sectors that we think have the most opportunity," O'Neill said. "I like our positioning. We're trying to become even more of a regional destination for health care, and that includes all the providers and all the folks that work in that industry."

Jackson's recovery is not limited to health care, though. Comcast Cable is adding jobs to two metro-area locations, said Frances Smith, the company's director of government relations.

The cable company is moving customer service operations into the old Kmart building on the Interstate 55 Frontage road this summer and expanding its customer-service shifts to seven days a week. The move should be complete by Aug. 2, Smith said. With the added shifts will come roughly 30 new jobs including customer-service representatives and supervisors.

In Madison County, Comcast's Advanced Solutions division will add approximately 70 new employees by the end of year. Smith credited metro-area governments with the positive economic news.

"I think it's exciting news," Smith said. "The strength of the metro area is critical. I think it's a tribute to intergovernmental interaction--people working together, groups working together. We've long said we're one of the best-kept secrets around, and this is proof of that."

Previous Comments

ID

158248

Comment

"Our local economy is based on education, health care and government and none of those are really getting smaller," Lee said. So we're having to care for more sick people and adding more tax-paid positions. Jackson is the new Austin!!

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-06-18T13:43:19-06:00

ID

158258

Comment

And like Austin, we are a state capitol. Obviously, anything associated with government will be a predominate part of our economy. That we do have health care and educational institutions help diversify our economy.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-06-21T09:12:07-06:00