The Martinsville Bulletin reports that GSI Commerce Inc., a call center located in town, is going to close down, laying off 279 people. GSI has four call centers and will consolidate down to three; Martinsville was the unlucky loser. To an already depressed economy, this is another colossal set-back.
Remember that Martinsville has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 20.2%. And remember that Republicans just shot down amendments expanding eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits, and in effect, turning down $125 million in stimulus funds for helping displaced workers. Absolutely infuriating.
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We still need to remember that 24% of the local population is on disability which is not counted among the unemployed. Add that to the unemployed and it means that nearly 1 out of every 2 people in the community aged 18-64 are not working.
Now, those not in the labor force ("those who have no jobs and are not looking for one") are also not included in either figure. My best guess would be that over 75 percent of the local population are not working, on disability or not in the labor force.
Heavy issues for the local economy and tax base.
Wow. Out of curiousity, where did you get the information on disabilities in Martinsville? Those stats are absolutely frightening.
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