Despite doldrums, Pasco jobs picture brightens, experts say
20.05.12
Pasco's unemployment rate remained stubbornly high in 2011, with a housing slump that has more than worn out its welcome. The construction industry continued to shed workers and the school district — Pasco's largest employer — eliminated more than 500 jobs.
But in a year where the mantra across the country became jobs, jobs, jobs, Pasco County also saw its prospects brighten. Raymond James Financial solidified its plans for a Wesley Chapel campus that would bring 750 jobs by 2024. And every Pasco hospital had expansions in the works that would add to the employment rolls.
"Even though the economy was still in the doldrums, we actually had a really good year," said John Hagen, president and chief executive officer of the Pasco County Economic Development Council. The public-private partnership works to lure development from outside the county and nurture existing business.
"We've added almost 1,300 jobs, which is really great, more than twice what we've done on the average," Hagen said, referring to the number projected by companies the agency worked with in 2011. "We're going to have a better 2012 than 2011. At least that's my gut feeling." Those industries ranged from an olive oil processing company in Odessa to a cell tower company in Land O'Lakes to the new hospitals and financial firms.
Source: Tampabay.com