Area economist addresses County Commissioners

Dr. Bill LaFayette is the vice president of economic analysis for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., chief economist for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, presented some data and economic analysis to the Delaware County Commissioners at a meeting earlier in August. LaFayette said that Delaware County is positioned very well to make a quick recovery as the national and regional economic recovery continues.

LaFayette pointed out that between 2001 and 2008, Delaware County added approximately 31,000 jobs, which is more than the rest of Central Ohio combined.

Delaware County’s unemployment remains the lowest of any county in Ohio, which LaFayette attributes to the diversity of economic growth and development in the county over the past decade. This growth has been in sectors ranging from leisure and tourism to business and professional services to manufacturing. In fact, Delaware County added over 1,000 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2008, while Central Ohio as a whole lost roughly 22% of its manufacturing base.

Delaware County’s favorable tax environment, excellent infrastructure, great schools and skilled workforce combined to soften the blow of the recession, and the diverse economy those factors helped to grow ensures that Delaware County is positioned extremely well to surge ahead as the economy turns around.