The
Gulfport-Biloxi area is expected to be one of the best places in the
country to keep or find a job during the first quarter of 2010.
The
new Manpower Employment Outlook Survey ranked the Gulfport-Biloxi
Metropolitan Statistical Area tied for the ninth-strongest employment
outlook in the country. The MSA consists of Harrison, Hancock and Stone
counties.
The survey showed 11 percent of area companies
interviewed plan to hire more employees from January to March 2010. Two
percent expect to reduce their payrolls, 83 percent expect to maintain
their current staff levels and 4 percent are uncertain of their hiring
plans.
“Compared with the previous quarter when 12 percent of companies
interviewed intended to add employees, and 9 percent planned to reduce
staff levels, area hiring levels appear to be stronger,” said Manpower
representative Leslie Dean. Nationwide 12 percent expect to increase
staff in the first quarter and 12 percent expect to reduce staff.
The the results are encouraging, but employers are slightly less optimistic about hiring than a year ago.
The
third-quarter survey by the Gulf Coast Business Council reflected an
increase in Coast employers expecting to hire, said GCBC President
Brian Sanderson. The national figures show South Mississippi’s economy
is stronger than many areas of the country, and he said future
construction contracts are up in Harrison and Hancock counties and jobs
are being added in retail.
Manpower said job prospects in the
Gulfport-Biloxi area appear best in the categories of durable-goods
manufacturing, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail
trade, information, professional and business services, education and
health services, leisure and hospitality and other services. Employers
in financial activities plan to reduce staffing levels.