Pocketbook issues continue to be the top concern for many Georgians, and most feel the state economy is not doing well, according to a new poll conducted for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Though Georgia’s economy is growing, the positive effects haven’t reached everyone — and it shows in responses to the survey conducted by New York-based Abt SRBI.
Thirty-five percent of respondents said the economy or jobs are the most important issue facing Georgia, far outpacing any other single issue, according to the survey. Their comments on the economy were part of a broader AJC poll of Georgia residents before this week’s start of the legislative session.
“The economy affects everything that we do,” said Gloria Waters, a retiree who lives in Midtown. “Wealth is health and enjoyment and all those things we want as humans in this life… And there are just too many just trying to survive.”
After peaking at over 10 percent in 2009-10, Georgia’s jobless rate had fallen to 7.2 percent by the end of 2014 — still significantly higher than the national rate of 5.8 percent. Looking forward, the outlook is brighter: Georgia’s job base is forecast to grow 2.3 percent this year, outperforming other states, according to a forecast from the University of Georgia Business School.
“We lost so many jobs during the Great Recession that it has taken us quite a while to get to break even,” said Roger Tutterow, professor of economics at Kennesaw State University. “It was only last spring, really, when the number of people working in Atlanta matched 2007 levels.”
Still, a majority of survey respondents — 54 percent — said they think the state of Georgia’s economy is not so good or poor. Meanwhile, 42 percent said the state of the economy is good, while just 2 percent went as far as to call it excellent.
Women were more likely to be down on the economy, with 61 percent giving it a negative rating. Those who live in southeast and southwest parts of the state were also more likely to say the economy was not doing well.
Some south Georgia counties might “lag for a while,” Tutterow said.
The survey showed that younger people are more optimistic about the economy than older people. Fifty-one percent of those aged 18 to 39 said they think the state of Georgia’s economy is good, versus 39 percent of those ages 40 to 64, and 42 percent of those 65 or older.
Brian Tucker, 41, said in the small town of Dublin, Georgia where he has lived for a couple of years, “small businesses are having a hard time staying open because people just aren’t spending the money they normally would” due to unemployment. “The only thing that does good in our little town, I hate to say it, is our Wal-mart.”
Survey respondents were lackluster on job opportunities, with nearly half — 46 percent — saying they think the availability of jobs in their communities is staying the same, 32 percent saying it’s getting better and 20 percent saying it’s getting worse.
“I’ve talked to many people who have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet,” said Heidi Pachura, who lives in Atlanta and manages procurement in the supply chain industry. She said she sees that as “an indicator to me that we need to re-evaluate some of our policies to enable people to have work-life-family balance.”
Seventy-seven percent of respondents said Georgia cities and counties should be able to raise the local minimum wage, with a majority of at least 60 percent in every demographic or political group.
When asked about Georgia’s prowess at luring companies and talent, survey respondents were more optimistic. Sixty-eight percent said Georgia is better than most or among the best states at attracting businesses, and 64 percent said Georgia is better than most or among the best at attracting top talent.
“I really would like to see more companies grow and have tax incentives,” Pachura said. She said she has considered starting her own business and has researched whether to incorporate in Georgia or elsewhere. “I would love to have more incentives in terms of growing here.”
Tucker said some companies have set up new operations in his county, but not all have generated as many jobs as were hoped.
“I don’t know what the solution is,” Tucker said. “I don’t think anyone does, to be quite honest with you.”
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