From the Blog
Forbes' Depressing Picture of Jacksonville is Probably Wrong
Forbes, the renowned business magazine has listed Jacksonville as the American city with the worst employment outlook in the nation. This is not seen as accurate by many in the employment industry who cite the fact that the employment picture has been steadily improving over the last few months.
Forbes, the renowned business magazine has listed Jacksonville as the American city with the worst employment outlook in the nation. This is not seen as accurate by many in the employment industry who cite the fact that the employment picture has been steadily improving over the last few months.
Jacksonville Home Prices and the Amphibious Ready Group at Mayport
Almost half of all Jacksonville homeowners are having trouble with their mortgages. According to Corelogic, a company that provides real estate and financial information, 45 percent of local homeowners owe more money to lenders than their homes are worth. The result is that they cannot sell their homes without taking a loss, which in turn means that they cannot buy new homes. Contributing to the problem is the fact that house prices are continually being driven down by the fact that in many places, unoccupied foreclosed houses are not being maintained. The result is that houses in the same neighborhood have seen their value diminish. The diminished value makes the loss from a sale even greater and makes people reluctant to sell. What does this have to do with jobs? It means that workers moving to the Jacksonville area, will have a hard time finding homes, which may limit the area's appeal.
Almost half of all Jacksonville homeowners are having trouble with their mortgages. According to Corelogic, a company that provides real estate and financial information, 45 percent of local homeowners owe more money to lenders than their homes are worth. The result is that they cannot sell their homes without taking a loss, which in turn means that they cannot buy new homes. Contributing to the problem is the fact that house prices are continually being driven down by the fact that in many places, unoccupied foreclosed houses are not being maintained. The result is that houses in the same neighborhood have seen their value diminish. The diminished value makes the loss from a sale even greater and makes people reluctant to sell. What does this have to do with jobs? It means that workers moving to the Jacksonville area, will have a hard time finding homes, which may limit the area's appeal.
Jacksonville's IT Job Boom
Jacksonville ranks ninth on a list of cities where the IT job prospects are especially good, In fact, Jacksonville’s IT job market is growing thanks to a number of startups in the area. The city now ranks among the latest American tech hubs like Denver and Houston.
Jacksonville ranks ninth on a list of cities where the IT job prospects are especially good, In fact, Jacksonville’s IT job market is growing thanks to a number of startups in the area. The city now ranks among the latest American tech hubs like Denver and Houston.
Recent Jacksonville Job Closings and Job Losses
The Jacksonville economy has recently seen a slight upswing, especially as it relates to new jobs and investment, however, it comes at the end of a long economic drought. Aonvoy Plastics, a 45 year-old Jacksonville company will cease operations at the end of March, with its managers citing the poor economy. The Aonvoy Plastics plant has 35 employees, but has been downsizing in the last few years. The number of employees at one point used to be as high as 145. Aonvoy is not alone either. In recent years, several manufacturers in Jacksonville have been forced to shut down, including Galaxie Boat Works and Astro Air. Almost 500 people have lost their jobs as a result.
The Jacksonville economy has recently seen a slight upswing, especially as it relates to new jobs and investment, however, it comes at the end of a long economic drought. Aonvoy Plastics, a 45 year-old Jacksonville company will cease operations at the end of March, with its managers citing the poor economy. The Aonvoy Plastics plant has 35 employees, but has been downsizing in the last few years. The number of employees at one point used to be as high as 145. Aonvoy is not alone either. In recent years, several manufacturers in Jacksonville have been forced to shut down, including Galaxie Boat Works and Astro Air. Almost 500 people have lost their jobs as a result.
Where to Find Jobs in Jacksonville, Early February 2012
Over the last 10 years, Jacksonville has seen a fairly high level of job growth with more than 14,000 private sector jobs coming into the city. Of course, since, 2001, there have been highs and lows. That number, however, looks to improve with several companies hiring locally and several local opportunities for work showing up early in 2012. The Saft Battery Company With their $200 million dollar building now open, Saft has decided to hire 300 new employees. The company is betting that the nation’s slow shift away from oil will continue and that batteries are the new growth industry. It is planned that of the 16 factories the Saft Battery Company operates around the world, the Jacksonville one will be the largest. This may mean even more jobs in the future.
Over the last 10 years, Jacksonville has seen a fairly high level of job growth with more than 14,000 private sector jobs coming into the city. Of course, since, 2001, there have been highs and lows. That number, however, looks to improve with several companies hiring locally and several local opportunities for work showing up early in 2012. The Saft Battery Company With their $200 million dollar building now open, Saft has decided to hire 300 new employees. The company is betting that the nation’s slow shift away from oil will continue and that batteries are the new growth industry. It is planned that of the 16 factories the Saft Battery Company operates around the world, the Jacksonville one will be the largest. This may mean even more jobs in the future.