By Andy Grimm, Post-Tribune staff writer
The jobless rate dropped statewide and in Northwest Indiana last month, falling below 10 percent. Indiana's decline from 10.6 to 9.9 percent from July to August was the steepest drop in unemployment in the nation.
Only four states recorded measurable drops in unemployment, though the statistics didn't sway Center Township resident Mark Anderson, a 44-year-old Center Township resident who was laid off from his job in January.
"I just don't see the improvement," said Anderson as he left the Crown Point Work One office, where he was searching for jobs. Anderson said he has submitted more than 500 resumes and applications and was offered two minimum-wage jobs.
"I don't know about the unemployment rate in Indiana, but it seems like the best option might be relocation. I'm seriously considering Alaska."
Unemployment for the Gary Metropolitan Statistical area, encompassing Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton counties, dropped from 10.1 percent to 9.7 percent.
The city of Elkhart, in an area hard-hit by declines in the RV manufacturing industry, remained the highest of any city in the state at 18.8 percent. Highland was fourth, with a rate of 15.8 and East Chicago was eighth at 14.9 percent.
Northwestern Indiana Building Trades Council President Chris Hernandez said labor leaders were glum at a meeting Wednesday. Union iron workers, bricklayers and millwrights each reported more than half their members are out of work, with other unions showing more than a third of their members idled.
"For the building trades, unfortunately, we suspect it's going to get worse before it gets better," Hernandez said. "It's as bad now as I've ever seen it."
There may be work soon as Porter hospital begins work on a new campus and as BP begins seasonal maintenance shutdowns at the company's Whiting refinery, noted Building Trades Business Representative Randy Palmateer.
United Steelworkers District 7 Chairman Jim Robinson said steel employment remained high, thanks to full shifts at northwest Indiana mills that took on work from plants that were idled in other states. ArcelorMittal's Indiana Harbor East mill has remained idle most of the summer, but the steelmaker is planning to start a third blast furnace on the Harbor West plant.
But Robinson remained cautiously optimistic, despite suggestions from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other experts this week pointing out positive economic indicators such as slowing job losses and a rising stock market.
"All the usual suspects were thoroughly wrong and missed the crisis coming," Robinson said. "When they're all sitting around talking about it being over, we need to take that with a grain of salt."
The jobless numbers are seasonally adjusted, but Purdue University Calumet economics professor Paul McGarth noted that area colleges in August welcomed record numbers of new students, as frustrated job seekers have sought out education and training.
"If people throw in the towel and quit searching for work, then the unemployment rate drops," McGarth said.