March Unemployment Report

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, has released the March Unemployment Report.  The rate for Huntington County was reported at 3.3%, unchanged from February.

 

The reporting period covers February 11 through March 10, 2020 prior to various governmental orders intended to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

 

"I believe the March reporting period will be interesting as a baseline for the coming months," said Mark Wickersham, executive director of the Huntington County Economic Development Corporation.  "The April reporting period will look nothing like March.  It is my sincere hope the statistics for the April reporting period (anticipated to be released in late May) will not be long term in nature," he said.  "Prior to the global economic changes as a result of efforts to slow the COVID-19 surge, nearly every manufacturer had job openings and were in a constant battle to find talent," he continued.  Job posting site Indeed.com still lists 156 openings immediately available within 10 miles of Huntington.

 

Applications for first time claims for unemployment benefits spiked radically in late March, however, the "surge" in filings for unemployment benefits did level off in Northeast Indiana by mid-April.  Government leaders are hopeful restrictive orders will be eased in early May and many employers are evaluating their "re-start" strategies. 

 

"Our society has never endured this sort of crisis before.  We're in new territory, traveling on a rough road.  I've heard it said  'roads are for journeys - not destinations.'  We've all heard kids from the back seat of the car asking if we're there yet.  'Just a little while longer is our normal parental answer.' Just a little farther," Wickersham concluded.