Pocono News Section

Uncertain Unemployment Situation in Williamsport

Uncertain Unemployment Situation in Williamsport - Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 5:38PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009 @ 05:38pm EDT
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

Billtown's proud past has never been in doubt, but as for its promising future? That's a bit more of a question mark.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Williamsport's unemployment rate reached 10% last month. It's the first metropolitan area in the state to reach that threshold. But not everyone agrees with the numbers.

We found plenty of people heading to the city's CareerLink office, as news of the 10% unemployment rate hit the streets.

Robert Tillison, of Williamsport, said, "It's tough up here getting a job. My sister was trying to get one for over two months and she finally got one through Manpower."

Most people we spoke with appreciate the help provided by unemployment agencies. But some say it's just not enough.

Anthony Parsons, of Williamsport, said, "Since the economy's so low, it seems like they're not wanting to help people, or if they do try to help people, they don't know how to help people with the percentage being so high."

The 10% figure is contradicted by the Federal Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which lists Williamsport's unemployment rate holding at a steady 9.3% The only notable difference being that the federal numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

Chamber of Commerce officials also shrugged off the 10% figure, pointing to future development from things like natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

Regardless of which number you choose to believe, people we spoke with say it's not a problem that can be solved by one person, but rather an issue that must be tackled by the community as a whole.

Parsons added, "People have to start helping other people. You can't just let the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Or pretty soon it's going to start something that the city won't be able to handle."

According to the Department of Labor and Industry, the statewide unemployment rate for September was 8.8%.