A year ago, the December unemployment rate in Fresno County was under 10%. Figures just released for December 2008 puts the Fresno County unemployment rate at 13.2%.
Fresno County's rate is much higher than the state unemployment rate, which was 9.1% in December. But then we could be Imperial County, which has an unemployment rate of 22.6%. That's the worst in the state.
Here are the unemployment rates for other counties in our region:
-- Kings County: 12.9% in December, up from 11.4% in November.
-- Madera County: 11.9% in December, up from 11% in November.
-- Merced County: 15.5% in December, up from 13.3% in November.
-- Tulare County: 14.3% in December, up from 12.5% in November.
Does anyone remember the old Sunnyside swapmeet where folks not could only sell their unwanted items,but you could almost start your'e own business for practically nothing. Yes there is still the Cherry Auction , but what we need are more Farmers Markets, swapmeets and to encourage folks to make money by selling and producing products for resale. Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley has the most furtile soil in the world, it is time we realize this . There is no reason people cannot go back and make shoes, clothing, toys,machinery and experiment to make our economy work. It is time for us to be a leader in exports and not imports. Yes, we need jobs, but we need to think outside the box. It is difficult for Society to compete for jobs when most of them have gone overseas who will work pratically free. It is time for us to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. It is time to stop asking for handouts, let do the fishing intead of asking for someone to ge\ive us the fish for free or putting it right in front of our noses. As our new President says " Yes We Can". Perhaps we need a scare like the folks after the second world war when we could have been taken over by Hitler. It is time for our leaders to make it easier for common people to make money by starting business even if it selling oranges or homemade items.
And if it weren't for the little word if, we could have full employment, as it should be in a healthy socio/political climate. The economy does not rise and set with the sun and the moon.
I remember the swap meet at the abandoned drive in movie sight. Too hot for me; no shade. And at the Cherry Auction one never knew if the goods weren't stolen. I agree with your suggestion to give new life to cottage industries for small business income. But your next item is a little confusing?
"Perhaps we need a scare like the folks after the second world war when we could have been taken over by Hitler."
In 1945, the end of WW II; Hitler was dead, and Nazi Germany had lost the war.
If I remember rightly, in 1983-84 unemployment in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Merced counties was up over 20% -- between 22 and 27%. Conditions then were a lot worse than they are now.
What has changed in the employment arena in the last twenty-five years that has made this area more resilient?
Why doesn't the news media compare current data with that from twenty-five years ago to give people a realistic understanding of the recession --not depression -- that we're in. Or doesn't it fit the "party" line?
I also think the unemployment rate was higher in the early eighties not to say its not bad now but we can recover if everybody does their part. It has to start with a busget first though.
The sad part of the whole situation for Fresno County stems from the fact the unemployment rate was 8.1% in June 2005 and today the unemployment rate in February 2009 is now 15.7%.
Where are the new jobs going to come from now that the housing bubble has burst? Our economy was a one trick pony here in Fresno and once construction collapsed everything else started to slow down. We are definitely facing tough times going forward and it will be far different than the economy we enjoyed the last 28 years.