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GREENSBORO — If you are worried about your job and the economy, you are not the only one.

This year’s City Council hopefuls put new jobs and growth at the top of their lists of concerns for the 2009 election. Filing ended Friday, with 33 candidates for mayor and the three at-large and five district seats.

And they’ve all got suggestions as to how the next City Council can improve that economic environment.

They join the chorus of council members before them with hopes to recruit new business to the city.

And, some say, one way to bring new companies — and the jobs that come with them — is to expand infrastructure, from sewer service to telecommunications technology.

“One of the key things in developing this infrastructure is going to be the speed of our broadband,” said Jay Ovittore , who is running in District 3 against incumbent Zack Matheny and George Hartzman.

Sometimes, it takes a personal touch to encourage a company to relocate.

Incumbent Mayor Yvonne Johnson , facing challenger Bill Knight, said she has helped recruit companies to Greensboro, including meeting with executives from prospective businesses.

“To continue that kind of thing is very important,” Johnson said.

Several candidates said the city should not forget small businesses in the community as it pursues larger ones.

But how to help them sustain profitability and grow was a little more elusive.

District 1 candidate Luther Falls Jr. , who works with small businesses through the Watchful Network, said the council should consider expanding its small-business loan pool program if the money is available.

“The majority of the jobs are going to come from small business,” Falls said. “They get lost in the shuffle when they are going after Dell or FedEx.”

Falls is running against incumbent T. Dianne Bellamy-Small and four other contenders.

To encourage new development, which increases the city’s tax base, some candidates suggested the city needs to become more business-friendly by scaling back fees and regulations that could discourage growth and eliminating bureaucracy that makes working with the city cumbersome.

“We could look at combining our services into one department and streamlining things,” said Nancy Vaughan , an at-large candidate in a crowded field. “That could certainly have an effect on people’s bottom line.”

Others said the new City Council needs to build on what the city has done to encourage growth, from the airport to redeveloped neighborhoods.

Robbie Perkins , who will defend his at-large seat, said the council should continue redevelopment of High Point Road. In the past year, he has pushed for City Council to purchase dilapidated properties near the Greensboro Coliseum. The council also decided to build a competitive swim center there.

“We need to make a statement that something is going to happen,” Perkins said. “We have momentum.”

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com