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Chautauqua County Needs More Jobs

It should go without saying that Chautauqua County needs more jobs.

The number of jobs in many counties throughout the state is increasing as New York slowly emerges from the latest economic recession. Data from the state Labor Department shows the opposite happening in Chautauqua County. Total non-farm employment has decreased from 51,400 to 51,100 from February 2014 to February 2015. A further look into the February data shows goods-producing jobs decreased 1.9 percent, manufacturing declined 3.2 percent and professional and business services declined 3.3 percent. Education and health services decreased 2.5 percent.

In their place, the county saw gains in leisure and hospitality, which saw a 3.6 percent increase. Labor Department data shows the average leisure and hospitality worker works an average of 18 hours a week in New York state and earns an average of $507.07 a week – the lowest hours worked and earnings of the 11 classifications of private, non-farm workers. It should be no surprise there is such a cry for a higher minimum wage. The segment of the job market expanding the most is largely based on part-time hours and low wages.

The lack of people willing to take a risk in rural areas like Chautauqua County is a telling sign that the economy is still sluggish, particularly in rural counties. Chautauqua County – and its rural brethren in Western New York – must begin to see some of the renaissance happening in Buffalo by figuring out how to bring more risk-takers into the county – entrepreneurs and young companies that come here with a dollar and a dream. It is discouraging when some of those companies fail. But it is equally as thrilling when a company like Digitell, founded by Jim Parker, starts here, expands here and employs more and more local people as it grows – or, at least, the local people qualified for the work.

Chautauqua County needs more people like Jim Parker if it is to grow its economy. Until all of New York state and its subsidiary governments are as lean and business friendly as possible, too many of the world’s Jim Parkers will find themselves starting businesses elsewhere.

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