The Atlanta Business Chronicle recently reported that according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business the Georgia economy will outperform the U.S. economy in 2007, growing by an inflation-adjusted 3.3 percent versus 2.3 percent for the nation. The Georgia economy grew by 4.3 percent in 2006. Georgia will rank among the top-performing states in the nation in the coming year, said Selig Center Director Jeffrey M. Humphreys. "Georgia looks to beat the U.S. economy on virtually every yardstick, whether it’s employment or gross [economic] product or personal income," Humphreys said.
The Selig Center report states that non-farm jobs in Georgia will increase in number by 1.5 percent in 2007, below the 2 percent state growth in 2006 but "markedly higher" than the projected 1.1 percent gain nationally in 2007. Statewide job numbers will rise by 59,600 (to 4.14 million), with the 28-county Atlanta metropolitan statistical area (MSA) to generate 45,600 of them.
Other projections in UGA’s 24th annual forecast:
- Georgia will mirror positive forces operating nationally, including an expanding global economy, rising exports pegged to a weak dollar, lower energy prices and diminished inflation.
- Gross state product will increase to $413.2 billion in 2007. (In constant year-2000 dollars, Georgia’s GSP will have grown from $266 billion in 1998 to $352.8 billion in 2007.)
- Inflation will be 2.6 percent, down from 3.6 percent in 2006.
- The high-wage information services sector — one key to Atlanta’s economy — will experience a 1.6 percent gain in jobs, termed "an important development" by the report.
Will the local Cherokee County government continue along the "slow-growth" path when every indication points to nothing but strong positive growth for Metro Atlanta and the entire State of Georgia? If someone doesn’t realize the opportunity for shaping the future is now (and not later), then Cherokee County will be left behind and wishing it could attract better jobs, better housing, and better shops & restaurants from the proactive neighboring counties of Cobb, Bartow and Fulton. I always hear that Cherokee County needs better employment opportunities, but companies don’t relocate to less populated, less diverse areas – they seek thriving communities with a diverse population. Jobs are coming to Metro Atlanta and the State, but will Cherokee be in position to attract them?
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