Rural Counties Losing Jobs Faster than Cities
Recession hitting hard in rural counties with manufacturing and farm dependent jobs.
Writing for the Daily Yonder blog, which covers "the big issues facing small communities," Bill Bishop reports that "Rural America has lost more jobs, and at a faster pace, than in the previous two severe economic downturns."
The unemployment rate in rural counties far exceeds the national average. While rural counties with economies dependent on manufacturing have been hit extremely hard, counties with large employment in agriculture have also felt the brunt of the economic downturn with a sudden loss of jobs in late 2008.
Much of this may not come as news to residents of rural communities that have personally felt the impact of losing hundreds of jobs, yet it underscores the need for people to organize and work together to create local solutions to the challenges that confront rural communities.
Take Action
Share your story on the economic crisis with Oregon Public Broadcasting.
