Jobs On The Way For Haywood County
According to state employment figures, unemployment rates for Haywood County have dropped from 15 percent in February of 2011 to just a little more than 12 percent last month. Haywood County officials hope those numbers will continue to drop with more jobs on the way. Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith said things are looking up for the county that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. “We’re proud it’s coming down some. We’ve got farmers going back to work in the field,” said Smith. Smith said at least three companies are looking to help lower the county’s unemployment rates. “We’ve got new industry there. Marathon Heaters has been hiring people. Local companies [like] Haywood Company and Lasco have been taking applications. So things are looking up. ” We need it desperately here,” said resident Mike Coburn. Smith said reasonable real estate and a central location lead businesses to Haywood County. Precision Coils plans is to move from Somerville to Brownsville. They plan to expand in Haywood County’s Industrial Park. Officials said their goal is to complete construction and hire Haywood Countians starting July 1. “They hope to add about 25 jobs in the first year,” said Mayor Smith. “It’s gonna mean a lot. We have families here that are really struggling. Foreclosures are going on. People are losing their homes. But with jobs coming in, it’s just going to mean the world of difference,” said Coburn.
