MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Mobile Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th Annual State of the Economy event on Wednesday where local leaders discussed supply chain disruptions and other issues as we approach the new year.
The chamber held a panel discussion at the Saenger Theater in downtown Mobile where they revealed the 2025 Mobile Area Economic Outlook Survey results.
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The survey collected statistics from businesses across Mobile to see where the county and city stand heading into 2025.
According to the survey, 41% of Mobile businesses experienced increased transportation or shipping costs in 2024.
Economic Development Vice President David Rogers told News 5 that another significant issue they found within the survey is getting a skilled workforce.
“We’re starting to address things such as housing and workforce transportation and childcare,” Rogers said. “And so these new programs at the chambers taking some initiatives on will help us be able to address that.”
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“So as we’re recruiting people in jobs here, well, they’ll have here, and they’ll stay, and they’ll live and work here,” Rogers continued.
While recruiting individuals from outside the Mobile area is important, so is hiring locally.
As the survey found, 58% of Mobile businesses only hired local workers this year.
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