Unemployment rate soars for manufacturing sector

by John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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By WSBT News1

Story Created: Aug 15, 2008 at 9:30 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 19, 2008 at 10:49 PM EST

ELKHART — It was a hard month for Indiana workers in July. Several RV manufacturers announced they were closing, and taking thousands of jobs away. The numbers show just that.

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The state average is 6.1 percent. LaGrange County's unemployment rate was 10.3 percent. Elkhart County's average was 9.3 percent. Those two counties ranked in the top five of Indiana's 92 counties.

The numbers show another nail in the coffin for job loss in the manufacturing sector.

"Certainly with Elkhart and the RV industry, they have been hit pretty hard," said Notre Dame Economics Associate Professor Marty Wolfson.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development unveiled new numbers that paint a grim picture.

Marshall County ranked #9 with a 8.6 percent unemployment rate. Followed by Starke County at 8.0 percent, Kosciusko County at 7.8 percent, and St. Joseph County at 7.2 percent.

Fulton County ranked #34, LaPorte ranked #58 and Pulaski ranked #69.

"It really doesn't surprise me, we've had some bad news lately," said Kyle Hannon. Hannon is the vice president of media relations with the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.

Announced layoffs from Dutchmen, Newmar RV and Monaco Coach during the month of July certainly do not help matters.

"I think it's going to bounce back, " said Hannon. "We have the workforce and the people are ready and interested in working."

Elkhart County has decades of history showing some real highs and lows as several industries and companies, including Bayer, brought jobs to the county and took them away when plants closed.

"I think it's useful for counties to diversify and establish diversified economies," said Wolfson.

Hannon believes job-seekers should also start retraining and learning a skill.

"The alarm has been sounding for awhile," Hannon said. "Now's the time to stop hitting the snooze button and go to class."

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