http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445 Bakersfield explosive growth has again placed it on a list of the fastest growing economies in the nation.&nbsp; Bakersfield was ranked 11th in the nation among midsize cities and 47th overall among the nation's 393 largest metropolitan areas in a recent Inc. magazine listing of the best cities for business. The ratings were based on job growth over the last decade, with recent growth given more weight.&nbsp; The rankings were not an indication of the strength of the local economy and there are still some areas for concern, namely the real estate slowdown and how that may affect future growth.&nbsp; The area's low worker education levels and lack of higher paying jobs could also prove to be stumbling blocks as the city attempts to grow its economy. What do you think?&nbsp; Is the local economy strong?&nbsp; Because of our fast population growth, we continue to add commercial development.&nbsp;&nbsp; Is the city growing in the right way?&nbsp; What will Bakersfield look like in another 10 years? Bakersfield explosive growth has again placed it on a list of the fastest growing economies in the nation.&nbsp; Bakersfield was ranked 11th in the nation among midsize cities and 47th overall among the nation's 393 largest metropolitan areas in a recent Inc. magazine listing of the best cities for business. The ratings were based on job growth over the last decade, with recent growth given more weight.&nbsp; The rankings were not an indication of the strength of the local economy and there are still some areas for concern, namely the real estate slowdown and how that may affect future growth.&nbsp; The area's low worker education levels and lack of higher paying jobs could also prove to be stumbling blocks as the city attempts to grow its economy. What do you think?&nbsp; Is the local economy strong?&nbsp; Because of our fast population growth, we continue to add commercial development.&nbsp;&nbsp; Is the city growing in the right way?&nbsp; What will Bakersfield look like in another 10 years? en-us Thu, 07 Jun 2007 08:13:58 PDT We may be growing, but I don't know if we are growing the right way.&nbsp; Do we want to become another Riverside?&nbsp; Leapfrog development and unchecked growth isn't the answer!&nbsp; There needs to be a plan. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102156 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102156 We may be growing, but I don't know if we are growing the right way.&nbsp; Do we want to become another Riverside?&nbsp; Leapfrog development and unchecked growth isn't the answer!&nbsp; There needs to be a plan. <p>Wonder how much of the job growth over the past several years has been related to housing contruction and jobs created by spending depending on refinancing.&nbsp; And what they'll be saying about our economy in a year or so...</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102166 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102166 <p>Wonder how much of the job growth over the past several years has been related to housing contruction and jobs created by spending depending on refinancing.&nbsp; And what they'll be saying about our economy in a year or so...</p> The figures in the story today showed nearly thirty percent of the 10,600 new jobs going to some form of government hiring. The other areas of note were 1,700 new jobs in the professional and biz service area while trade, transportation and utilities added 1,200 new jobs. I'm guessing the rest are fast food, retail and home service industry jobs. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102408 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102408 The figures in the story today showed nearly thirty percent of the 10,600 new jobs going to some form of government hiring. The other areas of note were 1,700 new jobs in the professional and biz service area while trade, transportation and utilities added 1,200 new jobs. I'm guessing the rest are fast food, retail and home service industry jobs. The question is while the economy is growing fast, is it really improving?  Salaries are up a little and more jobs is good, but better pay, a more educated workforce and more high tech companies would be nice.  But then again, so would better air quality, lower infant mortality and summer temps in the 80s ... http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102623 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_102623 The question is while the economy is growing fast, is it really improving?  Salaries are up a little and more jobs is good, but better pay, a more educated workforce and more high tech companies would be nice.  But then again, so would better air quality, lower infant mortality and summer temps in the 80s ... <p>&gt;&gt;But then again, so would better air quality, lower infant mortality and summer temps in the 80s ...</p> <p><strong>First of all, we can only improve the first 2 of those concerns.&nbsp; We're just not going to be in the 80s for highs in middle of summer.&nbsp; Its just the way our climate goes this time of year.&nbsp; </strong></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_106830 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_106830 <p>&gt;&gt;But then again, so would better air quality, lower infant mortality and summer temps in the 80s ...</p> <p><strong>First of all, we can only improve the first 2 of those concerns.&nbsp; We're just not going to be in the 80s for highs in middle of summer.&nbsp; Its just the way our climate goes this time of year.&nbsp; </strong></p> <p>Growth in my opinion is Good For Bakersfield.....People in Bakersfield should appreciate this Growth,because their are many other Towns/Cities in other parts of the Country that are Suffering or Depressed because of no Growth at all.</p> <p>Growth is what brings in more Jobs and stirs up the Economy,and it also brings more Shopping and Dining Options and other Entertainment...If people don't like the Growth that Bakersfield is experiencing then move to Buttonwillow or Taft.</p> <p>I"m happy to see all the Growth that is taking place in Bakersfield,because Growth is what will move this City forward and not backwards.</p> <p> </p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120126 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120126 <p>Growth in my opinion is Good For Bakersfield.....People in Bakersfield should appreciate this Growth,because their are many other Towns/Cities in other parts of the Country that are Suffering or Depressed because of no Growth at all.</p> <p>Growth is what brings in more Jobs and stirs up the Economy,and it also brings more Shopping and Dining Options and other Entertainment...If people don't like the Growth that Bakersfield is experiencing then move to Buttonwillow or Taft.</p> <p>I"m happy to see all the Growth that is taking place in Bakersfield,because Growth is what will move this City forward and not backwards.</p> <p> </p> I'm not against growth but it needs to be better planned.&nbsp; &nbsp;One thing that bothers me is that we are losing too much prime farm land to asphalt.&nbsp; The valley produces a large portion of the countries food and when we lose good farm land and crops it just makes us more dependent on food imports.&nbsp; There is land for expansion around Bakersfield and within the present building areas for lots of growth without taking farm land, http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120132 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120132 I'm not against growth but it needs to be better planned.&nbsp; &nbsp;One thing that bothers me is that we are losing too much prime farm land to asphalt.&nbsp; The valley produces a large portion of the countries food and when we lose good farm land and crops it just makes us more dependent on food imports.&nbsp; There is land for expansion around Bakersfield and within the present building areas for lots of growth without taking farm land, Growth is great for Bakersfield, and well planned as we round up the horses first , than think about starting on the Corral. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120153 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/10445/#c_120153 Growth is great for Bakersfield, and well planned as we round up the horses first , than think about starting on the Corral.