Cache, Utah, Davis counties earn recognition for job growth

FARMINGTON — Three Utah counties are in the top 20 nationally in a CNN Money.com list of the counties with the highest percentage of job growth from 2000 through 2009.

Cache County was ranked 10th, with 42.6 percent growth during the period. Utah County was 11th at 39.2 percent. Davis County was 18th at 31.5 percent.

The rankings used U.S. Census data and Onboard Informatics projections. Each county was considered only if unemployment was below the national average and each "Best Places To Live" community within it also experienced job and population growth. No more than five places within a state could qualify.

Lincoln County, S.D., was top with job growth during the period of 67 percent. It was followed by Williamson County and Hays County, both in Texas; Douglas County, Colo.; and Fort Bend County, Texas.

Details are at money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top25s/financial/jobgrowth.html.

The website said Cache County has a diverse economy, with Utah State University conducting extensive aerospace research and the county having several medical services companies. It also noted a young population, "access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country" and that "local government and public school jobs are also thriving."

"Sports and education reign supreme" in Utah County, the website said. "Jobs abound" at BYU, and three public school districts and Utah Valley University also are major job sources for the region, it said, adding that several medical, manufacturing, computer and service companies also call Utah County home.

The site noted Davis County's aerospace manufacturing "powers a high-flying economy" as the county has been "corralling jobs in heavy industry."

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