Discussion from the Lawrence County Chamber President and CEO at the State of the County Event

Last week on Wednesday, April 16th, the Historic Crockett Theater hosted the State of the County event to inform the public of what is to come and what is currently happening in Lawrence County. The first to speak was the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Ryan Egly. He gave detailed information and data displaying the current standpoint of the county and the future of the county. New data showed steady population growth, rising income levels, falling unemployment, and increased job opportunities. Lawrence County saw a population increase of 5.2% from 2020 to 2024 according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent estimates. This increases Lawrence County’s appeal as a place to live, work, and raise a family. Additionally, when the population grows, the local tax base is expanded, housing demand is increased, and new services and retail investments are drawn in. The workforce in Lawrence County is seeing great improvement due to the unemployment rate dropping steadily in recent years, which was at 2.8% in April 2024. This showcases the strength of the labor market and increased participation. Families and the community can have a more stable experience in Lawrence County with more people employed to contribute to the economy. Job growth has been a great success in recent years between 2018 and 2023 the county added nearly 1,600 jobs that showed a 12.6% increase that outpaced the nation as a whole. This growth is seen in jobs like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors. Manufacturing jobs alone employees over 2,200 workers in the county and it is expected to grow by an additional 10% over the next five years. The growth of the economy also involved household incomes. The median household income for Lawrence County has risen from $47,000 in 2020 to $53,000 in 2023, which is a 19% increase. This ultimately improves the quality of life in Lawrence County and helps to support small businesses and public services. Additional assets include; workforce educational development and education that includes partnerships with the technical colleges and apprenticeship programs. This allows a straight path for skilled workers to already enter into the workforce to help grow industries. As Lawrence County continues to grow and improve each day, the focus remains on sustainable growth that will benefit all of Lawrence Counties residents. The county is thriving and the future is bright.