Report Predicts Job Growth in Atlanta

A Georgia State University economic forecast released on Wednesday says the city of Atlanta is set to create 42,500 new jobs in 2011. While that’s certainly encouraging news, GSU economist Rajeev Dhawan warned a variety of variables, such as the ongoing BP oil spill and Iceland volcano that crippled the airline industry, has dampered the outlook.

“I’m optimistic, but I’ve downgraded my predictions because there are too many fragile things going on around the world,” Dhawan said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

A major catalyst for the expected increase in jobs next year is an increase in Georgia exports. The report estimates 42,500 jobs will be gained in 2011 and another 51,600 in 2012.

The job market will continue to struggle this year, though, as Dhawan predicts the Atlanta region will lose another 12,500 this year.