By now many people are to the point of nauseation when they hear the term, tough economic times. I am.
But, Monroe residents might not know how to react if they were to hear the phrase, puzzling times.
The conundrum comes from some recent economic indicators, and from rhetoric coming out of Wall Street and Washington.
Many politicians say the recession is slowed and things are starting to turn around though they often preclude those statements with words of caution.
But, in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle told the Monroe Times editorial board recently that it would take years for the economy to turn back around.
Then a comment like this makes one wonder if he is being pessimistic: Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman says all metropolitan areas and all but three of the state's 72 counties showed drops in the unemployment rate, and she says she is seeing encouraging signs that the economy is improving.
If those two comments werent enough to confuse you, recent jobless numbers and housing statistics add to confusion about the nature of the Monroe areas economy compared to the state and nation.
Green Countys unemployment rate went down in August, after months of little change, but typically slight increase in unemployment.
The reduction in Green Countys unemployment rate is probably due to normal seasonal variations and the addition of Walmarts new employees in Monroe.
Green County's unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.6 percent in August, according to statistics released by the state Department of Workforce Development.
But, for the past few months the rate has held relatively steady, albeit low, compared to the roughly 4 percent unemployment rate at this time last year.
So, you have state and national officials saying things are bad, but are getting better, the governor is saying it will be years until things turnaround, and the unemployment rate is steady and low. What does this all mean?
Basically, things are bad.
Not to be depressing, but the national economy is truly impacting us locally. Demand for the Monroe areas good are down, hence job cuts at Swiss Colony and Shanti in Brodhead, to name two.
Then, there are budget cuts and furlough days many of us must endure at our jobs, or on a Friday trip to the DMV.
Then there is this news: a core industry in Green County, the dairy sector, is experience a slump in consumer prices.
This point was made in a Times story regarding home foreclosures another economic indicator that things are indeed near the bottom by Ron Markham, market president of Wisconsin Community Bank. Agricultural repair businesses have been telling him they are slow because dairy farmers have not been coming in to have repairs on equipment done. The reason being, with low prices on dairy products the farmers arent making enough money, which affects how often repairs are made to equipment.
If the dairy industry struggles in Monroe, things are truly down, but the area has a few very positive aspects that should help it pull through.
Tourism and the ability of the dairy industry to persevere through government subsidies, like the $350 million in federal aid for struggling milk farmers announced last week, will help.
Also, the ATV trail that runs through Monroe and the surrounding area brings people of all economic classes with money to spend. Plus, the trail system and country roads bring cyclists to the area from as far away as Illinois and central Wisconsin.
There is hope with the tools Monroe and the surrounding communities have, but the determination of the employers, employees and entrepreneurs will need to be solid.
Things will turn around, but for now its no surprise you might be feeling a little confused about just where our local economy is.
Green County Farmhouse Project
Please continue to send farmhouse pictures so I can get this thing up and running. Dont forget, pictures must be simple snap shots of a farmhouse in Green County taken from directly in front of the home, no people or barns please. The only information I ask is for the name of the street, if you wish, but more importantly the name of the town or city the farm is located in. Please e-mail your photos to newseditor@themonroetimes.com.
Take care and watch out for bicycles.
But, Monroe residents might not know how to react if they were to hear the phrase, puzzling times.
The conundrum comes from some recent economic indicators, and from rhetoric coming out of Wall Street and Washington.
Many politicians say the recession is slowed and things are starting to turn around though they often preclude those statements with words of caution.
But, in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle told the Monroe Times editorial board recently that it would take years for the economy to turn back around.
Then a comment like this makes one wonder if he is being pessimistic: Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman says all metropolitan areas and all but three of the state's 72 counties showed drops in the unemployment rate, and she says she is seeing encouraging signs that the economy is improving.
If those two comments werent enough to confuse you, recent jobless numbers and housing statistics add to confusion about the nature of the Monroe areas economy compared to the state and nation.
Green Countys unemployment rate went down in August, after months of little change, but typically slight increase in unemployment.
The reduction in Green Countys unemployment rate is probably due to normal seasonal variations and the addition of Walmarts new employees in Monroe.
Green County's unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.6 percent in August, according to statistics released by the state Department of Workforce Development.
But, for the past few months the rate has held relatively steady, albeit low, compared to the roughly 4 percent unemployment rate at this time last year.
So, you have state and national officials saying things are bad, but are getting better, the governor is saying it will be years until things turnaround, and the unemployment rate is steady and low. What does this all mean?
Basically, things are bad.
Not to be depressing, but the national economy is truly impacting us locally. Demand for the Monroe areas good are down, hence job cuts at Swiss Colony and Shanti in Brodhead, to name two.
Then, there are budget cuts and furlough days many of us must endure at our jobs, or on a Friday trip to the DMV.
Then there is this news: a core industry in Green County, the dairy sector, is experience a slump in consumer prices.
This point was made in a Times story regarding home foreclosures another economic indicator that things are indeed near the bottom by Ron Markham, market president of Wisconsin Community Bank. Agricultural repair businesses have been telling him they are slow because dairy farmers have not been coming in to have repairs on equipment done. The reason being, with low prices on dairy products the farmers arent making enough money, which affects how often repairs are made to equipment.
If the dairy industry struggles in Monroe, things are truly down, but the area has a few very positive aspects that should help it pull through.
Tourism and the ability of the dairy industry to persevere through government subsidies, like the $350 million in federal aid for struggling milk farmers announced last week, will help.
Also, the ATV trail that runs through Monroe and the surrounding area brings people of all economic classes with money to spend. Plus, the trail system and country roads bring cyclists to the area from as far away as Illinois and central Wisconsin.
There is hope with the tools Monroe and the surrounding communities have, but the determination of the employers, employees and entrepreneurs will need to be solid.
Things will turn around, but for now its no surprise you might be feeling a little confused about just where our local economy is.
Green County Farmhouse Project
Please continue to send farmhouse pictures so I can get this thing up and running. Dont forget, pictures must be simple snap shots of a farmhouse in Green County taken from directly in front of the home, no people or barns please. The only information I ask is for the name of the street, if you wish, but more importantly the name of the town or city the farm is located in. Please e-mail your photos to newseditor@themonroetimes.com.
Take care and watch out for bicycles.
