GREENVILLE, Miss.–A new report on Washington County’s labor force says businesses would do well to locate in the county, according to Washington County Economic Alliance Pres. Justin Burch.
He told the Board of Supervisors Monday that he will be using the data to try and attract more companies to the county, which would mean more jobs.
“Our labor shed has grown to include about a 17-county area,” he said. “Within that labor shed the average annual wage has grown to about $52,000 [per year], surpassing the entire State of Mississippi.”
Burch said the annual average income for Washington County itself remains lower than that at about $42,000.
But, he said the report, which cost about $10,000 and was compiled with a grant, said manufacturing has grown as one of the area’s top employment sectors, which is what manufacturing companies could look for in locating. They need people who are skilled and capable of working those jobs.
He also said the number of people with a college education is growing, which is also a factor.
“It really reflects some of the growth in strength we’ve seen over the past couple of years. But, more than that it kind of combats that narrative in Mississippi about the Delta being less than,” he said.
