Brown County fairly optimistic on economy
Source: Elaine Kauh, Green Bay Press-Gazette

GREEN BAY, WI — November 20, 2003 — Brown County residents are concerned about pocketbook issues, including health care and jobs, but they’re more optimistic than the rest of the state about the overall economy, according to the latest results of the Quality of Life Index.

The statewide telephone survey was conducted by Wood Communications Group of Madison and sponsored by the Wisconsin Realtors Association. The index measures residents’ attitudes about economic issues every four months. In the fall 2003 results, 35 percent of Brown County residents surveyed think job availability will improve in the near future, compared to 25 percent statewide. More than 40 percent in the county think it will become worse.

Meanwhile, 46 percent of county respondents think the state is on the right track, while 59 percent think their community is on track. “Worried but hopeful” is how Jim Wood, president of Wood Communications, describes the latest results.

The findings also show less optimism among people in communities hit by layoffs in manufacturing — compared to those in other sectors, including health care, finance and technology, Wood said. “We do think we’re beginning to see the emergence of two separate economies,” he said. Education scored higher points with county residents in the survey. For example, 62 percent rate public schools as very good or good, and 78 percent are satisfied with what they pay for public education and with the services that money buys.

Rising health-care costs have become a top concern, with 87 percent of Brown County residents in the survey expecting their insurance costs to increase over the next year. Tighter budgets have had this result — people pay more attention to what the government is doing.

There’s more interest in governmental affairs, especially when it comes to spending and regulations, said Pat Kaster, broker with River City Realtors in Green Bay. “That’s something we never saw before,” she said.

In the real estate market, more government controls on new construction have made it tougher to develop properties, increasing prices, Kaster said. But overall home sales have remained strong because of record-low interest rates, Kaster said.

“People can buy more than they would have originally,” she said.