Tagged: Unemployment

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Hundreds of home-weatherization jobs are expected to be lost in Ohio as federal stimulus money runs out for programs that help low-income and elderly Ohioans with home-energy improvements.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies in Columbus told the state this week that agencies providing services for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program expect to lay off about 700 employees in the next six months.

The state says Ohio's unemployment rate rose in July, the second straight monthly increase following a two-year decline.  The Department of Job and Family Services says Ohio's jobless rate increased to 9.0 percent last month, from 8.8 percent in June.

The state says the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in July was 529,000, up from 517,000 in June.  The U.S. unemployment rate for July was 9.1 percent, down slightly from 9.2 percent in June.

While Ohio reports the nation's largest decline in new applications for unemployment benefits, the government says nationwide numbers are mostly unchanged.

That's seen as evidence that the struggling economy isn't generating many jobs.

The U.S. Department of Labor says Ohio claims dropped by nearly 2,800 in the week ending June 18. No reason was given for the decline, which was larger than in any other state.

The department's national numbers are more recent and show benefit applications dropped by 1,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 428,000.

City, county and state officials gathered in Wilmington yesterday to complete the transfer of Wilmington Airpark from the international shipping company DHL to the Clinton County Port Authority . As WYSO's Emily McCord reports, the transfer of the asset couldn't come at a better time, as the county has the worst unemployment rate in Ohio.

Networking is oldest and best way to find a job. And these days, when there's about one position for every 5 people looking for work, the need for that skill is more important than ever. But, for some, that process can be daunting. An area church is helping to demystify the idea. As part of our series What's Working, Emily McCord visits Fairhaven Church for their bimonthly jobseekers group.