Article published August 20, 2008
Jobless rate worst since early 1990s
Toledo’s 10 percent unemployment highest of state’s large cities
By GARY T. PAKULSKI
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
Sitting in front of a public computer scouring job listings yesterday, Dave Blair found himself in the same position as many other residents of northwest Ohio.
“Not many companies are hiring now,” said the unemployed Holland resident, who in recent months has gone through a series of low-paying jobs offering so few hours that wages barely covered gasoline costs.
Four days after a downbeat assessment of the unemployment picture across Ohio in July, the state Department of Job and Family Services yesterday issued a report showing the situation was worse in most places in northwest Ohio.
One in 10 Toledo workers — nearly 15,000 people — was jobless last month, the department said.
That was the first time in 16 years that unemployment in the region’s top city has reached 10 percent.
It also was the highest percentage of jobless workers among Ohio’s six biggest cities.
Lucas County claimed a similar distinction among the most populous counties.
Unemployment in Lucas County rose to 9.2 percent in July from 7.8 percent in June and 7.6 percent in July, 2007.
Joblessness rose everywhere in the 16-county region last month, and six counties recorded unemployment rates at or above 9 percent.
Huron County had the highest rate locally at 10.7 percent.
It was the third-highest rate in the state. That was up from 8.1 percent in June and 8.6 percent in July, 2007.
Just two counties in the region were below the statewide average for July of 7.2 percent. They were Hancock County, at 6.6 percent, and Putnam County, at 6.7 percent.
In Wood County, as elsewhere in the region and the state, unemployment hasn’t been this high since 1992.
“I was surprised to see that number,” said John Alexander, city manager in Wood County’s Perrysburg.
Income tax collections are up 21 percent in the city over last year, he said.
But he acknowledged that the rate of increase is unlikely to continue and described rising unemployment rates as a “trend of the current economy … that’s going to affect everyone in Ohio.”
Michael Veh, work-force development manager for Lucas County’s main publicly funded employment agency, wasn’t surprised by the numbers.
“We’re seeing a lot of people as a result of the downturn in the auto industry,” said the official of the Source.
“Demand for jobs exceeds supply,” he said.
More jobless retail workers are turning to the agency for help as summer jobs conclude and businesses trim work forces to match spending habits of families squeezed by high gasoline prices, Mr. Veh added.
Automotive-related businesses which continue to hire are seeking people with more skills — often at a lower rate of pay than previously, he said.
Hancock County, which includes Findlay and typically is among counties with the lowest jobless rates statewide, was up from 5.7 percent unemployment in June and 4.9 percent July, 2007.
Carolyn Smithers, work force development administrator, was aware of no large layoffs there. She speculated that much of the increase was traceable to residents being laid off from jobs in adjoining counties with tougher labor markets.
Rikia Layson, 28, was searching job listings yesterday at the Source, on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo. She is employed by a discount retailer, but complained that “my hours are declining week by week.”
“I fill out applications every day, but I’ve had no callbacks,” she said. “I’m still at it every day, though.”
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