“We are a manufacturing community that, during these types of downturns, ... is hit the hardest and the longest, but when it comes back, it always comes back the fastest,” said Googe, executive director of the Davidson County Economic Development Commission.
“We really think that probably not this year, and maybe not until the latter part of the following year, but we expect to see some of these things coming back ... We feel that manufacturing is going to be here for a long time, and our people are skilled in manufacturing. We just need to marry the two up.”
Googe spoke to about 50 government, education and business leaders Tuesday during Davidson County’s economic development report for 2008 at the Sapona Country Club.
Dale Moorefield, deputy director of the Davidson County Department of Social Services, and Pat Hillard, manager of the Employment Security Commission office in Lexington, also provided remarks at the event.
According to Googe, Davidson County announced four new industries and 115 jobs in 2008. Googe said the county also announced the expansion of 71 existing industries that created 1,448 new jobs.
Googe said Davidson County was ranked seventh in the state in the number of jobs announced in 2008.
“It doesn’t help to be unemployed and see that,” Googe said of the ranking. “... We at least know what we are doing is the right thing.”
Moorefield told the crowd a good “indicator” of the economic conditions in the county is the Davidson County Department of Social Services food stamps program. From 2002 to July 2009, there has been an increase of 142 percent in the number of people in Davidson County who are receiving food stamp benefits, according to Moorefield.
After saying the unemployment rate in Davidson County is high, Hillard noted that 433 workers have lost their jobs in the county so far in 2009. However, she said Atrium Windows in Welcome has hired 366 workers this year.
dignasiak@hpe.com | 888-3657
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