Clark Co. unemployment skyrockets

CLARK COUNTY, Ill. (WTHI) - A Wabash Valley community skyrocketed in the unemployment ratings.

Clark County, Ill. has a 12.5 percent unemployment rate, that's nearly 3 percent more than the national average.

Marshall Mayor Ken Smith said in a small county like Clark, hundreds of layoffs at TRW hit the area hard. That's why Smith said he's not surprised at the county's 12.5 percent unemployment rate.

"We're not happy, we're not pleased but we're not shocked," Smith said.

Smith said some new small businesses are opening and that's promising.

A few new restaurants are popping up and an assisted living home is under construction, the businesses could bring a total of about 50 people back to work.

"To me that's what shows signs of the economy turning around if it wasn't turning around I don't think you'd see a couple of food places opening up," Smith said.

Some residents said the unemployment rate is still discouraging.

"That's ridiculous for any community, that's unacceptable," David Harman said.

"It's sad, it really is, it breaks my heart," Angie Harman said.

The Harmans said the local economy has been tough on them.

"He (David) had to go outside of this area, around the world, to even get close to what we're used to making," Angie Harman said.

David Harman just moved back from working overseas for a year and considering the economy he'll probably head back.

For others looking for work, driving through Marshall you may see a few promising signs of employment but even the mayor agrees it may take some time for the unemployed to head back to work.

While Clark County is at 12.5 percent several other Illinois counties are holding at 10 percent.