Longview ranks third on Forbes top cities for job growth

LONGVIEW - Several East Texas companies have been forced to cut back on employees lately.

But overall Longview is still doing well, sitting at the number three spot of forbes top 20 cities for national job growth.

Longview Economic Development Director, John Stroud said, "That really has to do with the job growth since 2003, so we are very fortunate our economy has grown during that period of time."

Longview is one of nine Texas cities ranked in Forbes top 10.

LEDCO officials say it was because of energy, medical manufacturing and retail for the job growth.

Stroud said, "We've had a 10% increase in retail sales this fiscal year and we are fortunate our area is attractive to companies that want to expand."

Even people from out of town weren't surprised about Longview's high ranking.

James Browder said, "Every time I'm here theres something new, a new building or something being built or a new business that's moved to town from somewhere else. There's a lot of new growth going on here."

LEDCO officials expect things to get even better.

Stroud said, "As soon as the recession winds down, we're gonna be in a position to have continued growth."