A quarterly survey reveals the cities expecting the largest employment growth -- and losses -- across the country.
According to Forbes:
Best U.S. CitiesYakima, Wash.Net employment outlook: +21%
Yakima is known for its abundance of apple varieties, and last year's harvest boosted employment. Packing and juice companies that revolve around the apple orchards helped carry that employment through the winter, something that wouldn't happen in a more ordinary year.
Kennewick, Wash.Net employment outlook: +19%
Once home to the nation's most Ph.D.'s per capita, Kennewick has an impressive number of engineers and scientists. Pacific Northwest National Lab employs many of them to convert agricultural materials into plastics and biofuels and perform research involving fuel cells.
Anchorage, AlaskaNet employment outlook: +18%
A high-growth area in Anchorage this year is health care, which has added nearly 2,700 jobs since 2003 and employs close to 15,000 people. Retail is also booming.
Amarillo, TexasNet employment outlook: +15%
Pantex is one of Amarillo's largest employers, with more than 3,000 workers refurbishing nuclear warheads--the only place in the world where it's done. Beyond that, medical services and food processing are big.
Sioux Falls, S.D.Net employment outlook: +14%
Despite recent economic news, financial services are flourishing in Sioux Falls. Citigroup built its headquarters there, and Wells Fargo, HSBC and Premier Bankcard employ close to 3,000 people.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/photos/where-jobs-are-2009/1436639/Worst U.S. CitiesCape Coral--Ft. Myers, Fla. Net employment outlook: -16%
The entire state of Florida has taken a hit from the crumbling of its construction and real estate industries. Florida and Arizona were among the first states struck by the housing slump, and they have yet to recover. The state's hospitality industry has also been hit hard since fewer people are taking vacations.
San Juan, Puerto Rico Net employment outlook: -16%
Manufacturing has taken a beating here. Not too long ago Puerto Rico was considered an emerging market for manufacturing since the cost of doing business was inexpensive. Large companies built plants because it was cheaper than in the States. Now Vietnam and the Dominican Republic are cheaper, and manufactures are sending their business there.
Port St. Lucie, Fla. Net employment outlook: -14%
Like so many areas in Florida, Port St. Lucie was hit by the one-two punch of drops in both the hospitality industry and construction.
Miami--Fort Lauderdale--Pompano Beach, Fla. Net employment outlook: -14%
In addition to leisure, hospitality and construction, professional and financial services in this stretch of southeastern Florida have also suffered.
Santa Barbara--Santa Maria--Goleta, Calif. Net employment outlook: -11%
There has been a significant decline in construction in this part of the country. What's more, there has been a reduction in financial activities, which in these parts means mortgage brokers. While many homeowners elsewhere have been refinancing their mortgages to get lower interest rates, homeowners here haven't, probably because so many owe more than their homes are worth and are in foreclosure. Another weak area is durable-goods manufacturing, which was a core industry here and has taken a hit too.
Naples--Marco Island, Fla. Net employment outlook: -11%
This area on the west coast of Florida thrives on high-end travel and leisure. The industry has taken a dive since the economy started its downward spiral. Like the rest of the state, it's also suffering from a weak real estate market and slowed construction.
Los Angeles--Long Beach--Santa Ana, Calif. Net employment outlook: -11%
Los Angeles is taking a major hit in tourism, and the entertainment industry has had to cut back like so many others.
Charleston, S.C. Net employment outlook: -11%
Auto manufacturing used to be a dominant industry in this part of the country, but it has been cut back significantly.
Tallahassee, Fla. Net employment outlook: -10%
In addition to the slow real estate and construction markets, Tallahassee is hurting from a decline in manufacturing.
Hickory--Lenior--Morganton, N.C. Net employment outlook: -10%
Like so much of the south, this part of North Carolina relies heavily on manufacturing. Now that heavy manufacturing has slowed tremendously, job prospects are extremely weak. Hickory specializes in furniture making. That industry has held steady, but it hasn't been growing--or adding new jobs.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/09/cities-jobs-spring-leadership-careers-worst_slide_2.html?partner=careersaol