\Jamestown Post-Journal, 9/18/2011.
Excerpt: The business inventory nearly overlaps its 1986 counterparts, but falls short by one block at Fifth Street and cuts off the corridor at Harrison Street.
Once again, the business composite has changed. There are 307 total business entities, and an exhaustive tally by type now includes night clubs, ladies' boutiques, call centers and digital cable suppliers. Large retail has moved over for more service-oriented stores, including more banking options, insurance companies and employment agencies.
About a half-dozen industrial companies remain in the old downtown corridor, compared to 13 in 1986. Whereas Hills Department Store has dropped off the map, it is replaced by the Riverwalk and Brookside Professional centers, whose combined staff of 171 exceed the total number downtown medical workers in 1986 by 60 people. And the new tally counts 16 other medical-type businesses. These physicians have also been joined by accountants and attorneys.
At a glance, Harkness said some conclusions are already apparent, stating "we have gone from lower-paying retail jobs to a more professional workforce."
It is unclear whether net jobs were gained or lost in the downtown. The current employee count is about 3,370, yet several business did not report employee totals, including all business west of Washington Street, several banks, and those located north of fifth street. The public school's administrative offices have since moved to Martin Road, outside the scope of the new survey.
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