State Loses Jobs (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Mitchell: real estate, insurance, house)

[Jammie]

State loses 2,400 jobs; economist says national trends creeping in |* The Daily Republic *| Mitchell, South Dakota

You've all probably got a similar article in your daily paper, but I thought I'd post this anyway. Is it possible that we aren't going to escape a few of the same problems that many parts of the country are having? The number of job losses seems pretty small, but with our small population, it's somewhat significant and we're definitely not going in the right direction.

[Chris19]

I agree, although a good chunk of job losses in the time period mentioned is with seasonal workers (construction as an example-limited due to winters often not being favorable to construction). I think that if we all pull together as a people and as families and friends, we will get through the rough patch OK. Our area has weathered hard times better than most with the nature of our people pulling together in times of need and hardship.

We have gone through recessions and tough times before, some as severe as this situation and some worse. We will get through it. Think that it is the end of the world will not help matters any. A little faith and cooperation is needed in times like these.

I think that it will take at least another good year or two for things to turn around. Do I see challenges? Yes. But I think that we can get through them and will make us wiser and weed out the poorly run or inefficient businesses. As an optimist, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. How long the tunnel is is the big question.

Fortunately for Lincoln County and my area, things are going well, although people are more careful with spending and in general than per say two or three years ago.

[Jammie]

I like your positive attitude and I hope you're right. There have been a small amount of lay-offs here and a huge company didn't get as many contracts as usual so people are holding their breath on that. Another company was nice enough to just cut everyone's hours and let them stay and keep their insurances, etc.

Sx. Falls had three companies that laid off in about a week's time, but thankfully the layoffs involved very few people. They had a news story right after that saying there was employment for them.

When I first saw the headline, I was thinking the same thing~seasonal adjustments, but construction was only responsible for 100 of the job losses. Guess all we can do is hope we weather this ok.

[rjl78]

Season jobs ending and yes there have been losses. But I wonder the the MDR tells the whole story? Two weeks ago Sioux Falls 400 jobs were cut. However there were 700 job openings. Granted they often not the same type of job or same pay. But employment is still possible.

People are more careful in how they spend their money. Car dealers are not moving stock. I think real estate has slowed down. That is a conundrum I am facing.. I have the opportunity to move to Rapid City, same job and pay. But I have a house that I need to deal with, I have concerns about selling it.

[Jammie]

Rjl, have real estate prices dropped in our state? I haven't really noticed that over here or read any articles saying it was dropping. Are there fewer buyers or are you thinking you'll have to price it lower?

[rjl78]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Rjl, have real estate prices dropped in our state? I haven't really noticed that over here or read any articles saying it was dropping. Are there fewer buyers or are you thinking you'll have to price it lower?

Nope in fact in Rapid the prices have increased. There was an article about that towards the end of last week.

[Jammie]

Oh gosh, just cruising around the net for a bit and saw a headline that said, "It's official....we're in a recession." Wasn't actually in the mood to read something that depressing.

[rjl78]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Oh gosh, just cruising around the net for a bit and saw a headline that said, "It's official....we're in a recession." Wasn't actually in the mood to read something that depressing.

Its been the talk of news for almost a year. You are right the offical news sucks the big wet one.

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Oh gosh, just cruising around the net for a bit and saw a headline that said, "It's official....we're in a recession." Wasn't actually in the mood to read something that depressing.

When I have heard and read about that in the news, this phrase went through my head: no crap, we are in a recession. My guess is that 75-80% of the general public knows that we are in a recession and the government tells us what we already know. I suppose the government made the announcement today to make it offical according their definitions after their economists and staticians validate what the general public and business community know already .

I suppose. I am tired of hearing the bad news too. To lighten things up, I will have a bowl of ice cream and a Dr. Pepper tonight.

[blackhillsdreams]

Don't believe what you read, good or bad. Housing prices have gone up AND down in Rapid. Who knows what the actual data really is. In talking to a Real Estate agent, she said she had to pick up a part time job as a waitress and that she hadn't had as slow of a time selling homes ever before in the black hills area...