Jobless rate for three counties decreased in August

Perhaps the end of the recession really is in sight.

The local unemployment rate, which had reached the highest level in 26 years, came down in August.

“We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Before, it was pretty dark,” said Bill Turner, administrator of the Trumbull County One-Stop.

National economic numbers are showing the recession is easing, and today, the state said the combined jobless rate for Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties had fallen from 14.9 percent in July to 13.7 percent in August.

Much of the decline can be attributed to the first shift of workers returning to the General Motors complex in Lordstown, Turner said. The complex had been idle for months to whittle down the inventory on car dealers’ lots.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com