Automotive Summer Schedule Impacts Unemployment Rate

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the July unemployment report.  The data covers the period, June 11 through July 10.

 

The rate for Huntington County residents spiked to 6.7% for July compared to 4.1% in June.  513 more people were counted in the July unemployment data, while the labor force in the County was reported to have grown by 578 during the same month.

 

"We know 578 people did not move to Huntington County in the last month, so the data is probably a bit 'ratty'," said Mark Wickersham, executive director of the Huntington County Economic Development Corporation.  "We are aware of a temporary shut down at General Motors' Fort Wayne Assembly Plant during the reporting period and nearly 500 people who live in Huntington County are employed at the plant."  The monthly data, however, does reflect an increase of 65 in the number of people working," Wickersham added.

 

According to job posting site, Indeed.com, over 200 job openings are currently posted as available within 10 miles of Huntington and over 4,000 are available within 25 miles.

 

Unemployment rates increased statewide, especially in Counties impacted by both the automotive and recreational vehicle industries.  Allen County increased to 6%.  Howard County (Kokomo) increased to 7% while Elkhart County's rate increased to 5.3%.

 

"Generally, the situation in July has been described by experts in the workforce system as being temporary in nature,"  Wickersham added.  "The July report is an excellent reminder of how dominant the automotive industry is in our region," he concluded.