September Unemployment Picture Improves in Huntington County

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has released the September 2011 unemployment report, which covers the period from August 11, 2011 through September 10, 2011.  Huntington County’s unemployment rate for the reporting period stood at 8.7%, improving from 9.1% in the August report.  The September 2011 report reflects 222 additional jobs compared to the previous month and 54 fewer claims for unemployment compared to the August report and is the third consecutive month showing improvement.  The unemployment rate stood at 11.4% in January of this year.   Overall, 1,668 Huntington County residents remain unemployed while 17,522 Huntington County residents have jobs according to the DWD.  Huntington County’s unemployment rate has recovered significantly since its peak of 14.3% in June of 2009 when 2,977 Huntington County residents were unemployed.

"Local manufacturers continue to see demand for their products and opportunities for continued growth.  This year to date, clients of Huntington County Economic Development have announced ten total projects committing over $31 million in new capital investments in our county effecting 973 existing and new job opportunities combined," said Mark Wickersham, Executive Director of Huntington County Economic Development.  "Over the period from 2008 through 2011 year to date, clients of the agency have now committed to thirty-five projects representing investments of nearly $130 million, effecting nearly 1,860 job opportunities, in addition to the re-development of over 1.4 million square feet of empty industrial space," he added.

Wickersham concluded by noting that, "The current outlook is very encouraging but still fragile.  While there is still more work to be done, congratulations to the entire economic development team and all of our employers for making such a difference in our Communities."