Mercer County has earned a dubious distinction while many of its citizens are having trouble earning anything at all.
The county has Pennsylvania’s third-highest unemployment rate, according to the latest figures available. Mercer County’s jobless rate of 12.1 percent is well above the state’s 8.9 percent and the nation’s 10 percent.
A story in Tuesday’s Herald looked beyond the obvious numbers to reveal a troubling reality.
The two commonwealth counties that outpace our jobless rate — Cameron and Fulton at 16.6 percent and 13.9 percent respectively — are apples to Mercer County’s orange. Both are thinly-populated rural areas with work forces that are best described as tiny.
Mercer County’s 53,700-strong civilian work force is 21 times the size of the working population in Cameron County and seven times that of Fulton. In fact, the number of unemployed in our county, nearly 6,500, is only about 1,000 fewer than in Fulton’s total work force.
For all intents and purposes, when it comes to unemployment, we’re No. 1.
It’s not news that the local employment picture has deteriorated over the last three decades. The exodus of manufacturing jobs and the attendant population loss and brain drain has damaged the entire region and turned once-prosperous communities into struggling, near-ghost towns.
Some may look at the numbers and say it’s all over for Mercer County. Stick a fork in us, we’re done.
But there could be an opportunity in those sad statistics.
In Washington today, the political mantra is “jobs, jobs, jobs.” The ideas flying around the halls of power are all about ways to get the nation working again.
We can think of no better place to try out those ideas than right here in Mercer County. If politicians think that they have the answers, then we offer up our struggling area as the perfect laboratory to test their theories.
Why not? Our local economic development experts and chambers of commerce chiefs are quick to tout the area’s strengths: Easy access to market through road and rail, a skilled and dedicated work force and quality of life. (Though that last one has taken a beating over the years.)
Consider this a challenge to our state and federal lawmakers, their policy experts and the financial titans that — as our national commitment to bailouts and protections for that industry, at least, indicates — are the key players in any recovery: If you can turn things around here, you can do it anywhere.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: Make county the test lab for job-creating proposals
- Opinion
-
-
In wake of defeat of project, guidelines for TIFs are a must
The most important lesson learned here is Mercer County needs to develop a playbook in dealing with future TIF projects.
-
Jocelyn E. Buckley
A funeral service will be Monday for Jocelyn E. Buckley of Perry Highway, Springfield Township (Mercer). She passed away at 3:40 a.m. Thursday, May 24,
-
Recent visit by my old boss offers trip down memory lane
I always enjoy visits to the newsroom by Jim Dunlap, my old boss and longtime editor of The Herald.
-
Dramatic cuts by themselves unfair to state school districts
The state needs to have accompanying plans to help schools provide more with less.
-
Let’s dance! When it comes to culture, area has progressed
I had a very enjoyable evening last Tuesday when I attended the Greenville East Elementary School Spring Music Concert at Greenville High auditorium.
-
Soapbox derby provided big thrills and money for children
THE LAST TIME I DROVE in a soapbox derby race, I was many years younger, many pounds lighter, but still enjoyed the rush of zipping down a hill with the crudest of steering and braking devices.
-
Gay-marriage opponents on wrong side of history
Thirty years from today, when my son is nearly as old as I am now, I imagine he’ll be able to marry anyone he wants. It won’t be a big deal if that turns out to be a dude.
Gay weddings – and divorces – will be as common as straight ones are now and young people will wonder what all the fuss was about back in the old days. -
Fox News, Time, and taking mom to Hooters?
Here are some thoughts from a guy who can appreciate how various products are portrayed, but some really have me scratching my head.
-
Mom’s guidance included love, shoulder, wooden spoon
I have always loved to cook, especially Italian dishes handed down in my family throughout the decades.
-
OUR VIEW: We need a concerted effort to keep our best and brightest
One of the most anticipated events every year for people of the Shenango Valley is the birth of baby swans at Buhl Farm Park’s Lake Julia.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
In wake of defeat of project, guidelines for TIFs are a must
