CNN Got it Wrong for Flagler County, Florida

In 2007 CNN reported that Flagler County was ranked third best city for job growth. The reasoning behind such a bold forecast was that the city had "attracted several big-box stores and a retail shopping center." Unfortunately those economic forecasts failed to consider some very important variables affecting job availability for the future. In 2006, Flagler County was awarded the esteem of being the fastest growing county in the nation (53% population increase in 5 years, according to CNN). In 2007, the county was hungry for jobs, and the opening of a few retail stores would hardly satiate that kind of digestive grumble. In 2008, Flagler County boasted the highest unemployment rate in the state. In 2009, unemployment flirted with double digits, then in 2010, it hit 16.9%.  Read more...