Youngstown unemployment high for Ohio

COLUMBUS (AP) — Youngstown’s October unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, one of the higher in the state.

And, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Mahoning County’s unemployment rate last month was 7.5 percent.

Unemployment rates for other area counties were: Ashtabula, 8.1 percent; Columbiana, 7.5 percent; Jefferson, 9.4 percent; and Trumbull, 7.8 percent.

Ohio has asked the federal government for $550 million to help shore up a state unemployment compensation fund hit hard by the shrinking economy.

The letter sent Friday to U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao asks for $50 million in December, and $250 million in both January and February.

The state’s unemployment-benefits fund is facing a spike in claims at the same time it’s seeing a drop in revenue collected through taxes on businesses.

The fund currently holds about $277 million, down from $594 million a year ago and far below what the state regards as the minimum safe level of $2.5 billion.

The federal money would need to be repaid by a certain date or the state would face high interest rates. Ohio is asking for easier repayment terms.

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