At our 11.5% rate, we should also factor in those who once made 16-23 dollars an hour who are now working retail or other low paying jobs for half that. What I would find more interesting is going forward is what the average income levels will be compared to previous years.

"zoom is it!!!!!"

I am what?

Diamond Jim Doyle is going to build train cars in the old GM plant. Things will be good again.

zoom is it!!!!!

How's that HOPE and CHANGE working out for ya...?

Nobody said the closing of GM wouldn't hurt. Many people also said Janesville would turn into the next Flint, MI, which is ridiculous.

Better get that ICE ARENA built soon so all those companies will have to move to Janesville and employ our citizens!

No time to waste--and don't forget to let "the committee" who is asking for millions of dollars of taxpayer money (that we don't have) to put it anywhere they want, and name it to boot!

Suckers.

To think back people were saying the closing of GM would not hurt this town.

Wisconsin and the entire country would benefit from a new political system. The two party garbage just doesnt work anymore. Republicans/Democrats doesnt matter. All they care about is sticking it to each other.

Wisconsin NEEDS a Republican governor. Republicans are motivators and optimists. They promote entrepeneurship and businesses. That's where your jobs and revenue come from.

We're No. 1!

Never fear! The high speed rail that our grandkids are paying for will solve everything!

Honestly- we've lost almost every major manufacturerer in Madison/ Janesville/Beloit (Rubbermaid, Sanford, GM, Alcoa) and they decide to buil a friggin train? WHY First, there's no jobs to commute to, and second, who the heck will be able to afford a ticket??

Do something about it! They should try to get more businesses and big corporations in here. Offer them tax breaks like other places in this country does! Get innovative. Nashville alone, has gotten 5 Fortune 500 companies in there by offering sweet deals.

5% is considered to be an optimum number by the BLS. As a city we are double that in statistical figures. We may not like it, but thats how the Government stays abreast to the economy. If your speaking of a dispersment to a county level we are 3 times that of optimum. People numbers don't matter; Percentages do.
This media gives all those of us an outlet to release such disapointments with the economy. So I am glad for that. in 50 years when people look back at these times, oh the stories they will tell.
With Hector Valendez as President, and such population shifts that are predestined to occur, life should be grand under the new monitary system.
We can look more focused at the Now, yes. But if we do not plan for the future of this local county as a whole? Draw industry and business to the area, we will be equil to, if not worse off than Beloit is now; as a county.
We are not whinning; we want the actual Legislators for this area to get on-the-ball and do what they should have a year ago. Get Jobs To The Area. Talk is cheep/ action is...

daledribble - if you are unemployed, you will receive 99 weeks of U.I. regardless of where you worked. The only benefits you won't get by not being a GM employee is additional job training or placement funds. I don't get people who complain about handouts, but then it is hard to wean you of the teet of the government once they start to feed you......

And how many are no longer get unemployment and are no longer counted in the statistics?

All things considered we've gone from 1st to 4th and now 6th in the state. Slight improvement here, but slight worsening elsewhere. I'll take it.