So the CL hosted a big forum of business leaders to talk about the economic prospects for the City of Jackson.
[Local developer Leland] Speed told the newspaper forum that sustained growth and increased development appeared to be at hand if both the private and public sector make good choices going forward.Lovely. You have 10 people with a vested interest in improving the public's perception of Jackson, being cited as the experts on its economic health. Then you've got Leland Speed, citing last year's building permits as a sign the city has turned the corner on its woes.
"For the four years ending in 2006, non-residential building permits in the city of Jackson averaged $29 million per year," Speed said. "But last year, non-residential building permits in the city of Jackson were $250 million, some $50 million more than Madison and Rankin counties combined."
Speed's sentiments were echoed by Allen, who said that despite a national economy stalling toward recession, he believed Jackson to be "recession-proof."
"The top three sectors driving the economy of Jackson are healthcare, government and education," said Allen. "Those are bedrock enterprises that really aren't subject to recession and they are growing."
And Ben Allen -- he thinks Jackson's going to be just fine, thank you:
"...I tell them that I don't give a damn what they think. It's going to happen. It's happening as we speak."I'm tired of the negativity too, but I'm much more interested in fixing that which prompts such negativity. But there's not always a lot of profit in that.
The Changing Face of Jackson: Capital city's 'made the turn?' | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger
