Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that beat up economies worldwide, and nearly doubled unemployment in the Hinesville area, the number of people employed in the area was actually up as 2020 was nearing its close, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In fact, the BLS ranked the Hinesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (Liberty and Long counties) sixth among the 392 MSAs in the United State for job growth at 1.4 percent. BLS estimated that 22,000 people were employed in the two counties in November 2020, up 300 from 21,700 in November 2019.

“This is good news for our area,” Liberty County Development Authority Board Chairman Allen Brown said. “Despite the challenges we’ve seen with the lockdowns and recommendations for social distancing our industrial and retail economies have fared pretty well.”

LCDA CEO Ron Tolley pointed out that three new industries, Western Power Sports, Balta US and Marine Container South, opened in late 2019 and early 2020, and were ramping up hiring as the pandemic was tamping down retail activity. 

“All of the industries in the county were deemed essential and most fared relatively well,” Tolley said. “And a few actually increased employment.”

He pointed to Target, which announced in the Fall that it was bumping up jobs to about 1,200 after being around 800 earlier in the year. Company officials said the increase was to meet customer demand. 

“We were fortunate to have companies like that,” Brown said. “And blessed to have the facilities and public support to attract new companies even in rough times.”