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Previous Articles
One Fifth of Tucsons Unemployed "Not in Labor Force"
Why Your Job is Gone. Permanently
Unemployment Numbers and the Future of the Economy
Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow...Or Will It?
Understanding the Unemployment Rate
In the News...
March 4, 2010
"Real" Unemployment Could Surge to 25%, Portfolio Manager Says
But there's really only one jobs figure that matters -- U-6 because it reflects consumer buying power.
February 23, 2010
Underemployed Report Spending 36% Less Than Employed
Almost 20% of U.S. workforce was underemployed in January
February 22, 2010
More generations living under same roof
Tthe trend will is just begining according to Caldwell Banker study
February 22, 2010
Millions of unemployed face years without jobs
Millions of Americans out of work, out of savings and without unemployment benefits.
February 18, 2010
The job application black hole
Job seekers can't get a foot in the door when they apply to countless positions but seldom hear anything in response.
February 20, 2010
Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs
Millions of Americans remain out of work and nearing the end of their unemployment benefits.
February 18, 2010
Jobless Claims, Inflation Jump as Economy Wobbles
New applications for unemployment insurance surge, prices increase sharply
February 10, 2010
Corporate America Is More Pessimistic Than You Know
A whopping 66% of 1,200 corporate board members surveyed recently said U.S. companies wouldn’t return to “business as usual” until at least 2013
February 5, 2010
U.S. Wage Growth: The Downward Spiral
The outlook for worker pay remains bleak even as the U.S. recovery gathers steam
February 12, 2010
Many Jobs Gone Forever, Economists Say
Increased Automation, Relocations Overseas Mean Workers Will Find Different Employment Mix When Recession Ends
Feburary 11, 2010
Job growth may not curb unemployment rate
Government might be forced to count all unemployed
December 14, 2009
Global Workforce Report on Emerging Markets: The Backshoring Myth
The business case for outsourcing to the emerging markets remains overwhelming.
February 4, 2010
First-time jobless claims rise unexpectedly
New jobless claims rise unexpectedly to 480,000 as layoffs continue, jobs remain scarce
February 2, 2010
Unemployment rises in most metro areas
Unemployment rose in most cities and counties in December
Friday January 29, 2010
Wages and benefits rise weak 1.5 percent in 2009
Wages and benefits rise in 2009 by smallest amount on records going back 27 years
Friday January 29, 2010
The Growing Underclass: Jobs Gone Forever
Many of the jobs slashed during this recession are not coming back.
Friday January 29, 2010
Wages and benefits rise weak 1.5 percent in 2009
Wages and benefits rise in 2009 by smallest amount on records going back 27 years
January 28, 2010
One Firm Finds Passive Candidates Offer a Safe Selection Process
The recession has escalated growing doubts about the efficacy of a résumé-based process.
January 28, 2010
First-time jobless claims fall less than expected
4-week average, which smooths out fluctuations, rises for second week
January 19, 2010
Accidental entrepreneurs on the rise
Unable to find work, some simply start their own business
January 21, 2010
Rise in jobless claims signals bump in recovery
A surprising jump in first-time claims for unemployment aid sent a painful reminder Thursday that jobs remain scarce six months into the economic recovery
Endgame Coming for Tucson's Business Bickering
Vic Napier
January 2010
Tucson business has been controversial for a long time. Business owners in Tucson complain that city officials are hostile to business and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is ineffective in helping business succeed (Lopez 18 December 2009). Tucson has ranked at the bottom of the list in both state and national surveys of places to do business (MarketWatch 18 December 2009). A group of local business people has even organized a move to force changes in the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce leadership (Higgins & DeSimone 20 December 2009).
This is nothing new. Everyone has an opinion about doing business in Tucson, and those opinions are overwhelmingly negative. Some people blame the city council, others point to the Chamber of Commerce, while others blame local business owners themselves.
The arguing and acrimony itself now undermines Tucson’s economy. As jobs become increasingly scarce more people will likely consider starting businesses to generate income. Tucson is no longer the only game in town, and people considering establishing businesses are looking to other towns in the Tucson Metro area. Things are a lot calmer in Oro Valley, Marana, and Green Valley, and each of these cities has a more inviting business climate than Tucson.
If nearby towns begin attracting businesses that would otherwise make their home in Tucson the long term results could be disastrous. In economic terms, wealth would be migrating from the city center to the outlying areas – essentially the same thing that happened to big cities half a century ago because of suburbs, freeways, and cheap gasoline. A decade or two of wealth and business leaving Tucson could make the city look something like the inner city ghettos of the 1950’s and 60’s.
The solution? There may not be one. Maybe business and political players in Tucson are so polarized that there can be no compromises or accommodation. Perhaps the only thing that can bring movement is victory of one side and failure of the other. Tucson might have to fail so spectacularly that there are no doubts that new ideas and radical changes are required.
References
Higgins, J. & DeSimone, C. (20 December 2009). Status quo of Tucson chamber of commerce needs to be changed. Inside Tucson Business. Opinion. Retrieved from: http://azbiz.com/articles/2009/12/20/opinion/columnists/doc4b2bae58de9
Lopez, H. (18 December 2009). City's dismal business ranking rooted in leadership failure. Arizona Star Net. Retrieved from: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/biz-opinions/322706
MarketWatch (18 December 2009). MarketWatch survey: Tucson near bottom of best business cities. Arizona Star Net. Retrived from: http://www.azstarnet.com/business/321796