Dealing with recession unemployment

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Across America and across Northeast Indiana, more and more people are dealing with the harsh reality of being unemployed. In fact, that brought President Barack Obama to Elkhart County on February 9.

"This area has lost jobs faster than anywhere else in the United States of America, with an unemployment rate of over 15% when it was just 4.7% this time last year," President Obama said during his Elkhart visit.

Soon after the President's visit, his national stimulus plan won approval from lawmakers.
But the unemployment issue continues. Huntertown resident Marna Davis lost her job as part of the recession. She started work at Columbia City's Coupled Products in 1996.

"I was there for 12 and-a-half years. I planned to retire there," Marna Davis said with a slight chuckle.

That all changed in June of 2008.

"It's not a good thing when you see a company deteriorating and you can see the hand-writing on the wall that something's going to happen. But really, the situation's out of your control," Davis said.

The Whitley County employer has downsized significantly in the last couple of years. That was enough for Davis and her husband to know they'd better prepare for the worst.

"We had the foresight to get our mortgage paid ahead, so we're hoping we can hang on," Davis said.

While she filed for unemployment benefits, the experience hasn't been easy. In fact, she waited seven weeks before she received benefits.

"There's a lot of people out there that are in worst shape than I am.  What do they do when they don't get a check for seven weeks? It could be a matter of maybe they could have paid their mortgage payment," Davis said.

The Governor was quick to respond. He recently announced the addition of 100 new jobs at the Unemployment, or Work One offices. That's 50 in Fort Wayne, with the other 50 in Indianapolis. He says that will cut down on the wait, both for benefits and when you visit the office.

"It's been getting better. As I move around, I'm seeing fewer such examples. But if you're having a problem, come see us. We've got people whose whole heart right now is with folks who have been dislocated by this national problem," Governor Daniels said.

The Governor says our strong ties to the R-V industry account for our high level of unemployment.

In fact, the unemployment rate in Northeast Indiana – for the most part – is higher than the rest of the state. That's according to numbers released in December. Elkhart County has the region's highest, at 15.3%, followed by LaGrange County at just two-tenths of a percent lower. And the percentages are in the double digits in Noble, Kosciusko, DeKalb, Adams and Steuben counties.

Governor Daniels says just a few months ago, Indiana fared better than other states.

"We had the best rated economy almost in the country, and our job is to help people short-term but to reserve and maybe even extend that competitive edge. Other states are raising taxes left and right. If we can avoid doing that, when jobs start to come back to America, some will come to Indiana first," Governor Daniels said.

In the meantime, people like Marna Davis cope with being unemployed. For her, that means adjusting to life with roughly $150 less every single week.

"We aren't able to see our daughter out east because we don't really want to spend the money to go. You need to care of things you need to, like your housing and food. Those are the priorities that you have to do." Davis said.

Davis and her husband also lost their insurance benefits. They’re both taking computer classes at Work One offices so they can more competitive as they continue to look for work.

Our snapshot of Our Economy continues with the News-Sentinel. Pick up Monday’s copy for a more coverage of overcoming this recession.

On Monday, March 16, NewsChannel 15 and the News-Sentinel will tackle another issue with Our Economy, with the subject of foreclosures and the mortgage crisis.

For a county-by-county view of unemployment in Indiana, click here.