Auburn sees job growth in 2011 | Business

Auburn saw growth of more than 1,000 jobs and 108 businesses last year, according to the city.

The city attributes renewed efforts toward customer service, attracting new business and retaining current businesses for the job growth.

Here’s the announcement, from the city:

The City of Auburn Office of Economic Development has announced that Auburn has ended calendar year 2011 with a significant increase in local business including the addition to the local economy of 180 new businesses and 1,209 new jobs in this past calendar year since January 1, 2011.

In addition, the Office of Economic Development reports that another 5 businesses have committed to Auburn and are either in plan review or application for their building permits, or are currently performing their project due diligence. These 5 businesses are significant as they will bring an estimated 550 additional jobs to Auburn.

The positive upswing in businesses and jobs can be attributed to the City’s renewed efforts toward customer service, attracting new business and retaining current businesses. The City’s efforts have resulted in an increase of 6% in sales taxes, business licenses, and construction permit revenues for calendar year 2011.

“Over 1,000 new Auburn jobs is exactly the type of goal our City Council was hoping to achieve when they began launching various target initiatives," said Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis. "Auburn is open for business and this is exactly the kind of message that resonates; based on projects currently in the pipe-line, we expect these numbers to grow in 2012."

Recent efforts from the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Planning & Development such as the creation of improved service levels, Construction Sales Tax Rebate Programs, on-going Business Assistance, 12 new Education & Training Programs and the creation of the Auburn Center for Emergent Business are clearly showing positive results to the Auburn economy.