By Jim Hardin
Herald-Banner Staff
Rockwall County ranked second nationally in a CNNMoney.com list of the nation’s Top 25 counties for job growth between 2000 and 2008.
Rockwall County earned the ranking with an 84.9 percent increase in job growth over the eight-year period, according to CNNMoney.com.
“Especially in a tough economy, plentiful job opportunities are key to making a great place to live,” the Web site stated. “These 25 counties have experienced the most job growth over the last eight years.”
The Web site credits population spillover from Dallas and a strong business environment for the national ranking.
“Spillover from the neighboring city of Dallas has spurred the county’s population growth, and more people are finding that Rockwall is not only a nice place to live, but a nice place to work” the Web site stated.
The Web site also pointed to an influx of new shops and restaurants and manufacturing positions that are available in the county.
Rockwall County Commissioner Jerry Wimpee brought the national ranking to the attention of other commissioners during a Tuesday morning meeting.
“This is another one of those good news stories for a county that’s fortunate to have a lot of growth,” Wimpee said after the meeting.
The honor, he said, represents a lot of work by chambers of commerce, economic development commissions, school boards, cities and counties.
“Rockwall has enjoyed a steady increase of new businesses over the past few years that have brought many jobs to the area,” Margie Hooper, president of the Rockwall County Area Chamber of Commerce, said in response, to the county’s job growth honor.
“Several hotels have been built, including the Hilton Bella Harbor located in the Harbor District,” she added. “Several large retail chains have brought large stores to the area, including Belk, Best Buy, JC Penney and Staples, as well as Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods and several other retail stores.
“We are also seeing a steady migration of medical facilities and doctors bringing their practices to Rockwall. All of this movement supports the retail and service businesses that are already here.”
Sheri Franza, president and chief executive officer of the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, focused her comments on the Rockwall Technology Park.
“We are proud to see the continued growth of our Rockwall Technology Park,” Franza said. “The park is home to Fortune 500 and 1000 companies and houses approximately 1,000 employees.”
Pinal County, Arizona, was tops on the list with a 95.9 percent job growth figure.
Other Texas counties on the Top 25 list and their job growth percentages were Fort Bend County, sixth, 61.3 percent; Williamson County, 14th, 53.2 percent; Collin County, 15th, 52.7 percent; Hildago County, 22nd, 50.6 percent, and Webb County, 24th, 49.2 percent.
