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Unemployment Rate Rises Locally for ‘Right Reasons’

8/27/2019

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More people confident enough to start looking for jobs, expert says.

By Hasan Karim, Springfield News-Sun Staff Writer
ONLY IN THE NEWS-SUN

State figures showed the unemployment rates in Clark and Champaign counties went up in July as the local labor force continues to grow.

The unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in Clark County, up from 4.2% in June. The increase comes as the county’s labor force has seen steady growth over recent months, according to state data released by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

In Champaign County, unemployment rose to 4.3%, which is up from the 3.6% reported in June. Both counties experienced a downward trend in unemployment numbers starting at the beginning of the year. However, that rate increased slightly in May and has continued to increase into July.

“This is one of those cases in which the unemployment rate went up for the right reasons,”said Bill LaFayette, an economist and owner of Regionomics, a Columbus-based economics and workforce consulting firm.

LaFayette said the labor force in Clark County is larger than what is usually projected for July, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate. Though unemployment tends to go up between the summer months, more people are either currently employed or looking for work compared to the same period last year, he added.

Clark County’s labor force at the end of July had 64,200 people, according to data collected by the Ohio DJFS.

Those numbers showed a decrease of 100 people in the county’s labor force compared to the previous month.

However, there is usually a dip of around 700 people in the county’s labor force between June and July, LaFayette said, noting that a decrease of only 100 people shows that more people are confident enough to start looking for jobs.

He added that those numbers do not take into account seasonal patterns that affect labor and unemployment trends. Those factors can include seasonal employment, major holidays and school schedules.

Taking into account those seasonal factors would bring Clark County’s unemployment rate closer to 4.4 percent in July, compared to a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9 percent reported in June.

LaFayette said factoring in seasonal patterns also brings Clark County’s labor force for July to 64,100 people and that is actually an increase of 600 compared to June’s seasonally adjusted numbers. He said the labor force compared to this time last year is up 1.3 percent. 

“For Clark County, this is very good given that the population is stagnant,” LaFayette said. Clark County’s population was estimated to be 134,585 people last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Amy Donahoe, director of workforce development with the Chamber of Greater Springfield, said local companies are taking a more aggressive approach in attracting people that are not in the workforce. She said that includes raising starting wages as well as tweaking benefit packages.

“We have seen record low unemployment numbers in the past year,” Donahoe said.

“Employers have responded to that. They want to make sure they are attracting and retaining good talent.”

Ohio’s seasonally adjusted unemployment in July was 4 percent and remained the same from June, according to the Ohio DJFS. The national rate was 3.7 percent in July, also unchanged from June.

In Champaign County, the labor force decreased by 100 from June and had 20,100 people last month. The number of those reported as employed also went down by 100, according to the most recent information from the Ohio D JFS.

Marcia Bailey, director of the Champaign Economic Partnership, said despite a dip in the labor force, there is not a shortage of job openings in the county, especially in manufacturing and healthcare.

“There are still plenty of job opportunities here. We are still seeing pretty consistent openings,” Bailey said.

She said local manufacturer Rittal has recently posted a notice that it will be conducting open interviews on Tuesday. The company is looking to hire assembly operators, machine operators, welders and paint loader/unloaders, according to the notice.

Bailey said the starting hourly wages for those positions range from $13.40 to $16, according to information provided by Rittal.

Contact this reporter at 937- 328-0355 or email [email protected]. 

COMMITTED COVERAGE
The Springfield News-Sun will continue to provide unmatched coverage of jobs and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties and has covered recent stories relating to wage increases, the latest housing numbers and job growth. 

JOBLESS RATES  - 2019
Clark County
January 5.4
February 4.6
March 4.1
April 3.2
May 3.3
June 4.2
July 4.9

Champaign County
January 4.5
February 3.8
March 3.4
April 2.7
May 2.9
June 3.6
July 4.3 

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Talent Recruitment Workshop for Clark & Champaign Counties

8/26/2019

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Champaign County Talent Recruitment
Join us for a half-day talent forum featuring University of Cincinnati's Economics Center and national workforce expert, Ady Advantage as we uncover resources and best practices in talent attraction and retention.

Who Should Attend? Local company reps looking to obtain more tools for talent attraction and retention.
What will be covered? Tools, trends and best practices in talent retention and attraction from local businesses, local and regional resource partners, and a National Consultant.
Why attend? You will leave with concrete ways to improve your workforce!! Additionally, this program is approved for 5 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute, and through National SHRM. 

The event is $55 per person and includes light breakfast & lunch.
Register
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Welcome Back Home UU students!

8/14/2019

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Urbana University logo
​A community invitation to join us for our Community Connection and Activities Fair on Monday, September 9, 2019 from 11 am – 1 pm inside the Student Center on campus.  

​For more information on participating in the Business/Student Shopper Program and the day’s event, please contact Shana Loveless [email protected], 614-947-6142 or Stephani Islam, the Project Coordinator, at [email protected], 937-772-9292. We look forward to having you be a part of this fun day of activities and connecting with our students. 
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Ohio Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation In-Demand Jobs Survey

8/12/2019

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​For continued business growth in Ohio, it is important that training providers, educators, and workforce professionals know the future hiring needs of employers. Employer responses like yours play a critical role in the creation of Ohio's In-Demand Jobs List.
​
Ohio's In-Demand Jobs list helps drive the state and federal investments in our workforce. As the Office of Workforce Transformation designs Ohio's list, we want to make sure it accurately reflects the needs of Ohio businesses - your needs. So help us help you. Your feedback will directly shape Ohio's workforce priorities.

Complete the In-Demand Jobs Survey

Click for Survey
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Clark State Offers Degrees to Advance in Manufacturing

8/12/2019

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Clark State manufacturing degrees
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CEP Expands Role of Business Liaison

8/9/2019

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Business Liaison Ashley Cook
Business Liaison Ashley Cook
The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) is expanding the role of business liaison, a part-time position the CEP and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center created last year to help introduce local students to career opportunities in manufacturing and to help schools prepare students for them.

Through an agreement between the CEP and Ohio Hi-Point, Cook will broaden her focus to connect students and their schools with participating health care providers, in addition to participating manufacturers, and the career opportunities they offer.

“Memorial Health is excited to partner with the CEP and the health care business liaison efforts – seeing the successes they have had in the manufacturing arena,” said Robin Coffey, communications and PR specialist for Memorial Health and CEP board member.

Other health care businesses supporting the business liaison program are Mercy Health-Urbana Hospital and Champaign Residential Services Inc. Manufacturers supporting the program include Advanced Technology Products, Bundy Baking Solutions, ColePak, The Hall Company, KTH Parts Industries Inc., ORBIS, Parker Trutec, Ultra-met and Weidmann Electrical Technology. Other supporters are Clark State Community College and FASTLANE-MEP.

CEP Director Marcia Bailey said, “Ashley has done a tremendous job. The Champaign County Manufacturing Council has praised her for opening students’ eyes and minds to the rewarding careers available to them here in Champaign County.”

Cook teaches supply chain management full time for Ohio Hi-Point at Urbana High School. As business liaison last school year, she helped:
  • Coordinate job fairs and career presentations in schools and businesses
  • Develop a series of YouTube videos that provide an inside look at local manufacturing companies, featuring interviews with young employees who share their experience and preparation for their jobs
  • Inform schools and students about internship, job shadowing and employment opportunities
  • Coordinate job signing ceremonies to help students and graduates celebrate being hired by local companies

She will provide these same types of services for health care in her expanded role.
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CEP Office Location:
1512 South US Highway 68, Bay 14,
Urbana, Ohio 43078

Mailing Address: 
PO Box 268, Urbana Ohio 43078
937-653-7200
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All drone photography courtesy of Jassen Dobyns of UAVisions LLC. Additional photography courtesy of ​Dave Millner of the Champaign Camera Group.
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  • Why Champaign County?
  • Start a Business
  • Site Selector
    • Available Properties
    • Financial Incentives
    • Training Incentives
    • Maps
    • Utilities
    • Tax Reform
  • Key Industries
    • Agri-Business
    • Manufacturing
    • Health Care Services
  • Workforce & Talent
    • Champaign Works Job Board
    • Wage & Benefit Survey
    • Engineering Survey
    • Local Schools
    • Colleges & Universities
  • Community
    • Champaign County Comprehensive Plan
    • Housing Study
    • Demographics
    • Maps
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    • Public Notices
    • Newsletter
  • About CEP
    • Staff
    • Board