Naples projected to lead nation in new jobs

NAPLES — Cape Coral and Naples will be national leaders in new jobs through 2016, according to a report from Moody's Analytics and Forbes magazine.

Naples, projected to have employment growth of 4.1%, is tied with Austin, Texas, for the top spot among 200 large metro areas, Forbes reports. Cape Coral is No. 6, with a projected jobs growth rate of 3.7% through 2016. The other Florida city in the top 10 is Port St. Lucie, No. 8, with a jobs growth projection of 3.5%. All the other cities in the top 10 are in Texas, except for Raleigh, N.C. and Greely, Colo.

The magazine cites an increase in spending on construction, consumer goods and tourism for some of the reasons behind the projected growth in employment in the Florida cities. The top 10 list includes:

City Projected jobs increase
Naples 4.1%
Austin, Texas 4.1%
McAllen, Texas 3.9%
Greeley, Colo. 3.8%
Dallas 3.8%
Cape Coral 3.7%
Raleigh 3.7%
Port St. Lucie 3.5%
Houston 3.5%