Stats show Trumbull led nation in job-loss percentage in 2008-09

YOUNGSTOWN — Trumbull County may have experienced the most-severe job loss among the nation’s 334 largest counties between December 2008 and December 2009, but local officials say job prospects are improving.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today that Trumbull County experienced a job loss of 8.6 percent, the worst percentage decline among the country’s largest counties. Nearly 54 percent of the employment decline occurred in manufacturing, which lost 3,504 jobs over the year, the report said.

“The outlook is much brighter,” said Mayor Michael O’Brien of Warren late tonight.

He is confident the job market will stabilize and perhaps improve in the near future, citing the jump in employment at the Severstal steel plant from 75 to 700 workers, the building of the Chevrolet Cruze at Lordstown which will add a third shift of workers at the car plant, and the V&M Star expansion announcement that will create 400 temporary construction and perhaps 350 permanent jobs.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com