Economic stress still high in Indiana

Washington, (AP) - The recession's grip appears to be loosening as seasonal hiring picked up this spring. That's the conclusion of the Associated Press' monthly analysis of the economic pain in more than 3,100 U.S. counties.

The latest results of the AP's Economic Stress Index show the free fall that marked the autumn of 2008 and winter of 2009 gave way in April, to a more controlled descent, possibly even a bottom. Still, the analysis found that pain remains high compared with year-ago levels.

Three out of the five biggest increases in stress from April 2008 to April 2009 were northern Indiana counties that have been devastated by manufacturing cutbacks.

LaGrange and Elkhart counties both saw 12.8 point increases as unemployment soared by double digits. Neighboring Noble County saw its Stress score jump by 11.1 points.

The AP calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on each county's rate of unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy, with lower numbers indicating less economic pain.

The average Stress Index score dipped to 9.7 in April, from 10.3 in March. In April 2008, the national average was 5.9.