Building a better job market
Interview with Jeannine Marx, president, JM Recruiting

What will it take to create innovative, high-wage jobs in the region?
"Investors willing to back startups. Companies doing innovative things. More business owners wanting to move back to Spokane."

What is the biggest challenge to starting an economic turnaround?
"A change in the perception that Spokane's not friendly to business. We need startups to start their livers here, stay and grow. That builds jobs."

What sectors of the economy have lost the most jobs int he past year?
"Manufacturing, generally, of course. All those jobs at Agilent (producing printed circuit boards). They've all left for Malaysia.
"And in technology, the networking groups have been hit hard. Area colleges were pushing people into those programs, and now there are not enough jobs for them. They have to go wherever they can, or be re-educated."

What is the 2003 outlook for job growth in the region?
"It's much harder than normal to predict. There's so much uncertainty. All the cards are in the air, and we're not sure whether they'll land face up or face down."

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