KOKOMO — The Indiana Department of Workforce Development released May’s unemployment numbers on Friday. The Kokomo area leads the state in unemployment.
With a labor force of 43,521, there were 35,330 people employed in Kokomo in May and 8,191 unemployed.
The numbers mean Kokomo’s unemployment rate was 18.8 percent compared to the state’s 10.4 percent and the nation’s 9.1 percent.
Furthermore, Kokomo’s new percentage is a 34 percent increase from April’s 12.5 percent unemployment rate.
In May 2008, Kokomo’s unemployment rate was 7.1 percent.
“I was shocked when I saw May’s numbers,” said Jeb Conrad, president and CEO of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “That is a dramatic jump from April’s numbers. I was surprised. I thought with all the positive things going on with Chrysler and Delphi, we were moving forward.”
The Alliance consists of 19 representatives from the Kokomo Downtown Association, the Kokomo/Howard County Chamber of Commerce, the Howard County Development Corp., and Inventrek.
The Alliance’s purpose is to consolidate all economic development activities under an umbrella organization by channeling all public and private funds spent on economic development through the Alliance.
Conrad was recently on CNN with Anderson Cooper discussing Kokomo’s plight.
“The unemployment numbers could be associated with Chrysler’s employees taking buyouts, and the furloughs from Chrysler and Delphi,” said Conrad. “Banks are saying they are having more deposits, so that means people aren’t spending money in the service sector so it all has a trickle-down effect.
“The unemployment numbers were higher than we anticipated, but on the brighter side, we have had several new business start-ups and we have had clients in town looking at us for their new business location.“
However, not only did Kokomo’s unemployment rate increase, but so did the unemployment rate in Howard and Tipton Counties.
For May, Howard County’s unemployment rate was 19.3 percent, up from 12.6 percent in April. Tipton County checked in with 16.2 percent, up from 11.9 percent in April.
Yet, double-digit unemployment figures are not uncommon to the Kokomo area, said Kokomo’s former mayor.
Steve Daily served as Kokomo’s mayor from 1980 to 1988. He currently chairs the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance’s executive committee.
During his tenure as mayor, Daily said ”we had double-digit unemployment in the region for three years from 1980 through 1983. It’s not unusual for the region.“
Neither is the region rebounding to single-digit unemployment, added Daily.
“It is scary times for all of us. Having double-digit unemployment is not good in any fashion,“ said Daily. ”But we have had some good news around here lately. We have the Delphi and GM situation getting better. Chrysler is a mixed bag, but its good to hear people are being called back to work.
“... Kokomo has always bounced back and we will do it again.”
The unemployment figures were prepared in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and have been adjusted to the current population survey for use in allocating federal funds.
State News
Figure a surprise to Kokomo officials
- State News
-
-
Pats tats are sign of pride for Indy police officer
There’s no love lost in this Super Bowl host city for the New England Patriots, but it’s no crime to be a Pats fan. Just ask Indianapolis police Officer Mike Andresen.
-
Wireless infrastructure to be tested under heavy demand
The throngs of fans who’ll descend on Lucas Oil Stadium for Sunday’s Super Bowl game may experience the most “connected” game in the event’s history, thanks to an estimated $100 million investment in technology infrastructure in and around the stadium.
-
Indiana election chief's voter fraud trial nears end
The political future of Indiana's top election official, and potentially his freedom, rested Friday with jurors, who were deliberating late into the evening in his voter fraud trial.
-
Man fatally shot, two Muncie police officers injured
A witness says he saw two police officers involved in a shootout with a man in a convenient store parking lot, saying it lasted about 30 seconds.
-
Cancer charity confronts backlash over grant cuts
The renowned breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure faced an escalating backlash Thursday over its decision to cut breast screening grants to Planned Parenthood. Some of Komen's local affiliates are openly upset, including all seven in California, and at least one top official has quit, reportedly in protest.
-
Brady throws NFL, feds curveball
Super Bowl officials ended up with news stories Thursday that led with Super Bowl-bound quarterback Tom Brady admitting he watched last year’s NFL championship game on an illegal website.
-
Fan Dome brings Xbox under the bubble
When it comes to marketing, Microsoft pulled out all the stops for Super Bowl XLVI. Witness the Fan Dome, the inflated bubble containing Xbox 360 Kinect games, plenty of room for players to jump up and down and do their moves, and some pumping music to elevate the experience.
-
Feds seize nearly $5M in phony Super Bowl swag
Federal officials say authorities have seized nearly $5 million worth of phony Super Bowl sportswear and merchandise in a nationwide sweep.
-
Ind. lawmakers seek to protect Fort Wayne base
The commander of Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing says the base in Fort Wayne is awaiting word on whether it will be one of military bases the Pentagon closes.
-
Super security goes into place for Super Bowl
Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.
- More State News Headlines
-
