VALDOSTA — If you’re one of the 400 or so people who responded to The Times online poll this week, it was a very telling look at the state of the local job market.
Only 21 percent of respondents said their jobs haven’t been affected by the economy and another 12 percent say their jobs are affected but they are still getting raises.
However, the most significant numbers were reported by those who are being furloughed, 38 percent, with another 28 percent who said they were laid off.
When is the true recovery really going to happen? Economists always seem to differ in their projections between this year, next year, how slow or fast, etc., but the bottom line continues to be that individuals are hurting and they need jobs, now.
If you took a look at Friday’s paper with the very large and very sad amount of foreclosures, it’s not people who own half-a-million-dollar homes who are losing them, it’s people who own small, modest homes who are unable to pay their mortgages.
How the economy will ever fully rebound is still a big question, and I still say this region has fared better than many, but the simple truth is that we need jobs, good old-fashioned manufacturing jobs and transportation jobs and construction jobs that provide a good living for middle-income individuals.
And if we can’t get them by attracting companies from other areas, we should start growing our own. There are many opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to learn how to grow and build a business, through Valdosta State University’s Small Business Development Center to the Chamber’s Seeds Center.
But I’m sure of one thing — we can’t afford to wait much longer.
Business Roundup
It looks like Shoe Carnival is about ready to open this week. The new store is located on Norman Drive between Books-a-Million and Best Buy.
It looks like Creekside Tavern has finished its renovations for the outdoor patio area and is planning a big grand opening this week.
The new Quiznos is shaping up in the North Ashley Professional Plaza. The strip center will be anchored by the restaurant with two more businesses locating there soon.
Hibachi Express on North Ashley Street appears to be preparing to open at some point this week, and the Passage to India restaurant in the Budd Plaza on North Ashley is supposed to reopen this week. They’ve revamped their menu and are partnering with a restaurant group from Atlanta, so if you’re into curries and such, you might want to check it out.
There’s a new business on North Valdosta Road called Nexpro Equipment that is holding a grand opening this week.
No word yet on whether the Hardees on St. Augustine and in Lake Park are going to reopen, but I understand there’s a really good chance of it.
And in answer to the queries I’ve gotten this week, Pearl Executive Shuttle is alive and well and moved from its former location on North Patterson Street to St. Augustine Road.
That’s it for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!
Business
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Shoe Carnival is located on Norman Drive between Books-a-Million and Best Buy.
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