Truth staff
Elkhart County's unemployment rate shot up to 7 percent in June, almost 3 percent higher than it was a year ago.
June numbers were released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They show that there were 7,115 people unemployed in Elkhart County in June out of a labor force of 102,338 people. The rate was 5.9 percent in May, but 4.2 percent in June 2007.
The county ranks 15th in the state in overall unemployment, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. It was 22nd a month earlier.
The losses came in just about every non-farm employment sector, including manufacturing (5.9 percent decrease); durable goods (6 percent); transportation equipment (7.2 percent); motor vehicle body (9.3 percent); state government (33.3 percent); and information (12.5 percent).
Meanwhile, the city of Elkhart shows an 8.5 percent unemployment rate, up from 7.2 percent in May and 5.6 percent in June of last year. Goshen's rate is 6.6 percent in June; 5.8 percent in May; compared with 4.1 percent a year ago.
The numbers are expected to be bleak into the fall at least. Consider that as many as 1,400 people are facing layoffs with the closing of three Monaco Coach plants in Elkhart County. The plants are expected to close by mid-September. Some of the employees could be transferred to other Monaco facilities in Indiana and Oregon. However, if all 1,400 workers are laid off at the three plants, Elkhart County's unemployment rate could reach more than 8 percent.
Other recreational vehicle companies also laid off workers in July, including Dutchmen Manufacturing, Newmar and Coachmen Industries. Dutchmen laid off 116 employees. The number at Newmar and Coachmen are unknown, but Newmar's could be up to 40 percent of its workforce.