PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP)—Bay County is experiencing growth, leading to an increased demand for jobs.
The Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA) is optimistic about the job market, as several companies are considering establishing operations in the area.
“We have about eight that we classify as hot projects out of a list of 21 projects that we’re working at various stages,” said Becca Hardin, President of the Bay Economic Development Alliance.
These prospective jobs span various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, aviation-related logistics, and port-related industries.
“It’s important for us to look at the diversification of our economy, other types of jobs, so that we don’t have all of our eggs in the tourism basket,” Hardin emphasized.
Creating jobs is essential for the community’s sustainability. “Primary jobs typically lead to a spin-off of four or five secondary jobs,” Hardin noted.
The Bay EDA is hopeful to announce a significant project by the end of the year, which would create 500 new jobs.
“We know that people move into our community every day,” Hardin stated. “It’s incumbent upon us to find good jobs for these people so that they can live, prosper, and stay in our community.”
State chamber officials attended the EDA meeting on Wednesday to discuss Bay County’s economy.
“You’ve got a seaport, you’ve got an airport, you’ve got I-10; you can quickly move goods out to the market. We should be making more here, not just in Florida, but in Bay County,” said Frank Walker, executive vice president of government political relations at the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “This will allow us to export goods to broader markets because those jobs aren’t just the immediate jobs.”
Chamber leaders predict that by 2030, around 27,000 new people will reside in Bay County. To accommodate this growth, 11,000 new jobs must be created.
“So yes, by 2030, I don’t know if we can achieve all of those jobs, but we’re certainly doing our best to get there,” Hardin concluded.
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