"I think Pensacola is coming up on a lot more radar screens than three years ago," says Mike Frey, vice president of economic development for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce. Within the last two years, economic development efforts have created 2,894 jobs and more than $151 million of investment within the city of Pensacola. According to the Haas Center for Business Research at the University of West Florida, employment increases will average 2.9 percent for the city of Pensacola by 2005, exceeding the state average of 2 percent.
The Pensacola area has a large retired military population. However, average earnings within the area remain well below the national average. With the decline in military employment in Florida's Northwest, county and city officials see this labor pool as a key selling point to the area. These workers may be trainable to go into service-sector jobs. "It is so essential to have a well-trained work force," says Rick Harper, director of the Haas Center of Business Research and economic development at the University of West Florida. "Jobs are going to come to our area, but our challenge is make sure they are the highest quality jobs we can get."
West Corp., a teleservices company, opened a facility last year in Pensacola. The firm anticipates hiring more than 1,000 workers. Network Telephone expanded its operation and hired an additional 700 employees.
The Fort Walton area seems to be bucking the national trend and adding manufacturing jobs. Spoke Automotive will hire 256 employees at its new site in Fort Walton. Certified Manufacturing will build a 20,000-sq.-ft (1,858-sq.-m.) site in Holt. The firm will manufacture circuit boards. Spectrum Sciences is expanding its technical services and manufacturing center in Okaloosa County.
-- Ginny Deal
