Michigan Unemployment
Michigan’s state unemployment rate hit the top of the list in January with 11.6. Hardest hit metro area is Flint at 12.3. This region is epicenter of the beleaguered auto industry, which has been suffering economic tremors for months. Michigan’s state unemployment coffers have not handled the influx well and have recently received a welcome loan from the federal government to tide it over. Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) encourages unemployed workers to file online Monday through Saturday during off-peak hours or over the phone. Learn more…
California Unemployment
California overall is hurting. Not only is the state unemployment rate one of the highest in the nation—10.1–but a handful of cities are absolutely rocked: highest metropolitan rate in the country goes to El Centro with a heart-stopping unemployment rate of 22.6. Why? Agriculture is key, but this past year California’s drought also made El Centro its epicenter, largely ravaging El Centro farms. Major crop is cantaloupe. To compound this micro-disaster the state is also hardest hit in home foreclosures and the state budget deficit is $8 billion in the red and going up. Learn more…
Indiana Unemployment
In January 2009 Indiana’s statewide unemployment rate was measured at 9.2. But the real story is more focused on the Elkhart-Goshen metro area where unemployment is high. At the end of December 2008 this region measured an unemployment rate of 15.3 which quickly increased to 18.3 in March on the heels of major industrial lay-offs. RV manufacturing is a key industry and 2 large corporations’ mass layoffs a turning point in the first quarter of 2009 (1). The Indiana Department of Workforce Development offers a lean and well-organized website, online claims filing and quick links to the list of “50 Hoosier Hot Jobs.” Learn more about Indiana’s unemployment program….
Ohio Unemployment
The unemployment rate hit a high of 8.8 in January across the state of Ohio. Mansfield at 12.3 and Toledo at 9.8 recorded markedly higher unemployment rates. Manufacturing, steel, and the auto industry took big hits, and city employees have been impacted in fire, police, and others. State’s community colleges have ramped up job re-training programs (2) and the state unemployment website has a navigable new look with breaking unemployment news on the front page.
Pennsylvania Unemployment
January statewide unemployment rate was 7.1, according to the BLS. Hardest hit metro areas are Johnstown and Williamsport with 8. Manufacturing companies made mass layoffs near the end of 2008, and now all sectors are affected. Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry – the unemployment compensation agency – has proactively provided better access to new and ongoing claims. See the state website for details on filing.
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