Is Economic Glass Half Full, or Half Empty?

Friday, September 08, 2006 03:50 AM

Do you think Prince George will experience significant economic growth within the next ten years?

That was the Opinion250 poll question. The results show an even split. 50% see the glass half full and say Yes, 50% see the glass half empty and say No.

The answer is just as difficult to pin down when you ask economic experts. There is a general buzz in Prince George to be sure, real estate is hot, housing starts are up, the forest companies have been busy (until the price changed on April 1st) there is interest from outside developers. There are two new hotels in the works ( one nearing completion, one still in the planning stage) and new retail constructon at Westgate. There are at least four neighbourhood plans being developed.

Still with all this development and plans for growth, no one has been able to pinpoint the source of this new economy.

Yes Prince George is picking up extra work because of the demand from the Peace Country and the Alberta oil fields, and there is renewed interest in mining, but have there been new jobs created?

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Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 03:50 AM in Views by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Free Enterprise on September 8 2006 5:32 PM

When your near fire you tend to get warm. Making conversation about an opinion pole where 6 people voted is not worth much.

Posted by: Chester on September 8 2006 10:02 PM

Good Point, how many did vote? Often, 80% of the opinions come from 20% of the people. Chester

Posted by: Chadermando on September 10 2006 1:47 AM

Polls are for dogs.

IMO the economic activity is a result of two key factors.

Factor #1 many people from PG are working the oil fields while still living in PG, infact many companies from PG are players in the economic activity in the Peace Region which is booming. This is bringing a lot of employment dollars into PG from employment outside of the greater PG region.

Factor #2 many people who did live in the Peace region working low income jobs have moved to PG to find more affordable living conditions close to home, while still finding employment. It is better to work a $8 an hour job in PG than a $15 dollar an hour same job in Fort St John.

The net result is an import of low income workers into the city from the Peace region, with an export of skilled temperary labour back to the Peace region. Its the consumer effect of this growth in employment income in the city that is drivng the local economy.

Posted by: owl on September 10 2006 10:30 PM

Read on teh internet:

"Our research shows that Americans truly hate unsolicited telephone calls," said Click, whose firm is on target to initiate 4.2 million unsolicited calls in the first quarter of 2004.

Two-thirds of those surveyed said the media is far too infatuated with polls, which really have no value other than to produce meaningless data upon which pundits can pundificate.

The latest Polls R Us poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 143%, also revealed the following:

~ 2% of respondents claimed they were much smarter and better looking than the other 98%.

~ 106% of those surveyed said Americans must improve their math skills to better compete in the global economy.