Area could see notable increase in jobs by 2023
Health care and social assistance industry expected to see the most growth
The Yuba-sutter area economy should see nearly 2,000 new jobs added over the next five years, according to the most recent projections accumulated by the Yuba-sutter Economic Development Corporation.
The most recent figures gathered by the YSEDC – for the third quarter in 2018 – show that there was a total of 53,205 jobs in the area across all industries. Over the next five years, the area is projected to see an increase of approximately 1,910 jobs – or an average annual growth rate of around 0.7 percent – by the third quarter of 2023.
“I think the region is primed for growth. We’ve been on a bit of a growth pattern, but we have way more jobs than we can fill right now,” said Brynda Stranix,
president and chief operations officer of the YSEDC.
The biggest increase is expected to occur in the “health care and social assistance” industry with a growth of 841 positions by 2023, or a 2 percent average annual growth rate (AAGR). Other industries forecast to see notable growth include “construction” (146 jobs, or a 1.1 percent AAGR), “management and remediation services” (114 jobs, or a 1 percent AAGR), “profession, scientific and technical services” (81 jobs, or a 1 percent AAGR) and “accommodation and food services” (154 jobs, or a 0.8 percent AAGR).
“We have a variety of sources that allow us to make projections, but they don’t often match each other,” Stranix said. “We try very hard to use the data we can verify or at minimum, believe is achievable.”
Two areas in particular will
provide the most opportunity for growth in the region, Stranix said. The first is the Sports and Entertainment Zone in Yuba County where the new Hard Rock hotel and casino is being built and where the amphitheater is located. The second is the Sutter Pointe project in south Sutter County, which has yet to be developed.
The regional projected job growth does not include the impact of the Hard Rock project, which is expected to create between 1,2001,400 new jobs, plus the 1,000 or so from the project’s construction. By adding those to the total, the local projections more than double.
“Our biggest challenges we’re facing in adding jobs is in addressing our infrastructure, like water, wastewater, roads, bypasses, etc. We are lacking in those areas, which has slowed new development,” Stranix said. “But it’s like anything, if we can get one (developer), it’s likely we can draw the next one. We’ve got to be ready to
to start in March and last until late May.
Construction will be occurring around the time, but not on the day of, the annual Pioneer Day on April 27 and visitors to the Smartsville event will be able to see restoration progress and possibly meet some of the volunteer workers.
“Pioneer Day will be a great time for people to come see the progress on the church and to get an idea of what it will look like, once completed,” said Janet Burton, also with SCRFI.
Kit Burton said the total bell tower restoration project cost to SCRFI is expected to be $140,000.
“With the matching funds pledged by the Spiekers and approximately $10,000 currently available, we are seeking the $60,000 balance,” he said. “We have received assurances that donations to fulfill this goal will be matched by SCRFI.”
He said SCRFI is putting together a group of corporate and private donors that will offer to match any donations they receive on top of the Spieker pledge.
“For example, if your employer will match your donation, and then SCRFI matches that sum, your donation gets multiplied by four,” he said.
Burton said the Historicorps project will see about eight people dedicated to the project – two are paid and the rest will be volunteers.
“We’re always looking for donors and volunteers
who are willing and capable of helping on the construction project,” Burton said.
Bell tower restoration project details
Restoration of the octagonal cupola where the church bell resides.
New louvers for the four openings and screening to exclude pigeons.
Replacement of structural wood allowing the front door to be used. New siding. Weather-proofing the exterior.
Painting the south exterior of the building.
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