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Jobless rate spikes in Butler County

Staff graphic by Greg DeGroat

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 2:11 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

HAMILTON — Unemployment is up again in Butler County as state officials report the rate spiked to 9.7 percent in May.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service, about 18,500 people in Butler County are jobless. That is an increase of .3 percent, or 600 people, from the month of April.

In Hamilton, the rate also increased .2 percent to 11.2 percent. State officials said an additional 100 people were out of work in the city last month, some of which may be from the layoffs at SMART Papers, which cut 240 positions May 1.

The most significant increase in cities tracked by the department’s report was Fairfield, with it’s rate spiking from 8.5 to 8.9 percent. About 2,200 people are unemployed there, about 100 more than in April.

There have been no large-scale layoffs at the city’s 1,500 businesses within the last month, but “if every business lost one employee that is a significant chunk of employees,” said Greg Kathman, economic development director.

The increase is likely attributable to business conditions of the automotive and construction industries as well as residents who were employed outside the city were more layoffs occurred, he said.

Middletown, however, experienced a slight decrease of .1 percent to 12 percent unemployment.

Both Hamilton and Middletown have jobless rates higher than the state average of 10.8 percent, as well as the national unemployment rate of 9.4 percent, according to the report.

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As long as there is a Bush alive everything will be the fault of Bush. After Barrack Hussein Osama is done with the U.S. it will be all his fault. I don't know how the man got elected. Out of everyone I talk to nobody has voted for the Obama-nation.

Jesse
9:51 AM, 6/30/2009

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gee whiz. i think the facts in regard to the clinton administration and its role in todays declining economy are well founded. are people so disillusioned that they cant deal with reality? no administration is perfect. all have made plenty of mistakes. you can go all the way back to the end of ww2 and point out errors that have been made that are having effects on the world economy today. knowledge is power. turn off the reality shows and read history books.

jo jo
7:00 AM, 6/25/2009

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yes there was..and that surplus was generated in a way that was very dangerous..and created very poor long term effects..that we are now seeing and feeling them

point of fact
3:18 PM, 6/24/2009

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correct me if i'm wrong, point of fact, but wasn't there a budget SURPLUS when clinton was in office?

ACZ
12:28 PM, 6/24/2009

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christina....go research the facts..here are a couple examples..the clinton admin is directly responsible for the current housing crisis..they thought by directing the lending institutes to give out high risk loans it would bolster the economy..in the short term it did..welcome to the long term effects..they were also very responsible for pushing for the global exportation of work..again we know now the effect of that as well..please research the facts and develop a more informed opinion.

point of fact
6:58 AM, 6/24/2009

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