Brooklyn's Labor Market

Brooklyn is not fulfilling its potential in the retail market, and construction jobs are not keeping pace with the number of construction projects in the borough, says a recent report on the labor market in Brooklyn, published by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. While the number of jobs in Brooklyn grew 1% in 2005 – the highest percentage occuring in culture and recreation – the 6.2% unemployment rate still lags behind the citywide average of 5.5%. Commanding the labor market is still the public sector, at 41% of all jobs in the borough. Wages have kept pace with inflation, but also remain below city average. The overall number of residential building permits issued almost doubled between 2001 and 2005. In 2005, 1,600 were issued, at a total of 9,000 units – coming in just over Manhattan, which totaled 8,500.
Brooklyn Labor Market Review [Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce]
Chamber’s ‘Target’: Shopping [Brooklyn Papers]
Photo by Rob Innes.