Trickle down effect: As economy struggles, so do businesses and the unemployed

A Daily Press examination of the economic downturn

MONTROSE  — Montrose industries are feeling the crunch of a weak economy similar to the rest of the country. It is a time when employment applications are stacking up, as is unemployment, and businesses are looking at every way to save a dime.

Where in April 2008, unemployment in Montrose County was 4.7 percent, it almost doubled in April 2009 to 8.9 percent, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Sales and use tax, including retail sales, construction and auto tax, have also drastically decreased over the past year, some by more than 50 percent, according to the city of Montrose.

There is no sugar coating — times are tough. But such times also bring adaptation and innovation, and a drive for the workforce to hone their skills. The Daily Press will touch on a few of these topics over the next several days.

Crunching the numbers

In Montrose County, 20,386 people are in the civilian workforce. Of those, 18,651 people were employed in June 2009, bringing the unemployment rate to 8.5 percent. A number higher than the state’s average of 7.6 percent, but lower than the nation’s 9.7 percent, according to the CDLE.

“Colorado has experienced one of the smallest increases in the unemployment rate in the nation from March to June,” Donald J. Mares, executive director of the CDLE, said in a recent report.

CDLE Chief Economist Alexandra Hall said that Colorado has stayed stable in its rate only because participation in the labor force has dropped.

Montrose County’s top industries are retail trade, health care, construction, manufacturing, accommodation/food service and public administration.

Montrose, businesses have had to look deep into their operations, evaluating and adapting, and looking at innovative changes. Many have had to make tough decisions.

———

For the full story, see today's print edition. The online story may not reflect all relevant information that was reported. We encourage readers to obtain the full story by reading the print edition or our e-edition, To subscribe, call (970) 252-7081 or click on the subscription link on the main page.