Scioto County’s unemployment rate tripled during Ohio’s COVID-19 lockdown this spring. According to numbers supplied by the Scioto County Commissioners, the state-mandated economic shutdown cost our area a lot of jobs.
The Boom Goes Bust
Scioto County’s employment picture was rosy in 2019 and early 2020. Some figures show the unemployment rate as low as 4.8%. (Those numbers weren’t seasonally adjusted.)
In the early part of this year, many employers complained of difficulty finding enough workers to hire. Then COVID-19 hit and Governor Mike DeWine shut down most retail, restaurants, bars, offices, schools, and prohibited non-emergency medical procedures.
That’s when the layoffs hit. In April the unemployment numbers jumped to 15%.
Who’s Going To Pay?
At the time, Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree strongly objected to the shutdown, predicting it would cost the county a lot of money and jobs.
He said, “That ain’t our fault. It’s those numbskulls at the state. They done everything wrong. Now, who’s gonna pay? They should come forward with more money.”
His prediction turned out to be spot on. County tax revenue was down $153,188.17 from April of 2019.
The Numbers
However, things are starting to look up. Scioto County’s unemployment rate dropped to 11.7% in May. Out of 88 counties in Ohio, our region ranks 59th.
Other parts of the state are not fairing so well. Only 10 Ohio counties have unemployment rates lower than double digits. Other regional unemployment rates for May were:
- Pike – 13.8 %
- Lawrence – 13.1%
- Adams – 12.4%
- Jackson – 12.1%
Ohio’s highest unemployment rates are in the northern part of the state.
- Erie – 19.9
- Lorain – 18.8
- Lucas 18.7
We Are Going To Come Back
Commissioners were optimistic that a full economic recovery is on the way. It’s just going to take some time.
“Our county’s workers are returning to work but we have a long way to go to see recovery. The good news is many many jobs are available and several developers and entrepreneurs are looking at our area to create new jobs. We are going to come back!!!! Our team is working hard to keep the momentum going by literally laying the groundwork for progress. As we tell our Economic Development team, “Keep Pressing” and “Win”.”