Economy has crashed in Northwest PA (Pittsburgh, Erie: homes, unemployed, contractors)

[unemployed&bored]

I live in Erie Pa and use to be happy, when I was working. I worked in the administrative offices of a local factory but things have gone down hill fast in Erie since the start of the economic recession. I have noticed that all the help wanted signs are gone. The only jobs available are set aside for the growing Illegals population, or are highly skilled Engineering jobs in the few remaining factories that have not closed down. Homes are very cheap in Erie but few people can afford them because they are so few jobs. What is happening in Erie is what is wrong with most of America. Anyone else have any feedback on what is happening economically to places like Erie?

[kpoeppel]

Yes, the economy of NW PA is terrible, and has been for some time. This isn't really a new phenomenon.

If you want more opportunity, you may want to consider moving out of the Rust Belt. Sunbelt cities are generally doing much better, although you should be aware of the housing bubbles that exist in some of these areas. In places like Las Vegas or Phoenix, where so many jobs were housing-related, their economies probably are crashing right now too.

You may have noticed that gasoline prices are though the roof. That means lots of opportunity in the oil and gas business. I'm not sure how many office administrators they need, but you may want to look into it.

[kpoeppel]

If you're not afraid of heat, humidity, traffic, and a huge illegal immigration population, take a look at Houston, TX:

Energy economy booming in Houston - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[Rtom45]

So look for a different career in the same area. Most places offer the opportunity for training if you are out of work. Even Erie, for example, has lots of ads for nurses.

[kpoeppel]

Health Care is the only real "industry" left in NW PA, so I agree that nursing would be good to get into.

[Rtom45]

The Manufacturer's Association would disagree with any opinion saying Erie is rust belt. Citing figures provided by the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry, they sponsored a full page add in this week's Times-News. Manufacturing is the single largest employer in Erie County, there are 529 companies located in Erie County. 24, 844 people work in manufacturing in Erie County. The total annual payroll for manufacturing is $1.1 billion, or 27% of the total payroll in the county. $1.2 billion worth of goods are exported by Erie County manufacturers annually. Also, GE just held their shareholders meeting here - you should have seen the pictures of private jets at the airport!

[sirron]

Originally Posted by unemployed&bored

What is happening in Erie is what is wrong with most of America. Anyone else have any feedback on what is happening economically to places like Erie?

While I cannot answer your specific question, my curiosity sent me to google the phrase, 'Erie, Pa Jobs'. I got over 1.4 million hits. Now, let's say only one tenth of one percent of these hits is legitimate. That's still a whole lot of listings to research. Everything from craigslist.com, to gojobs.com/erie, careerjet.com, jobs.net, indeed.com, to jobster.com was there. This doesn't even include careerlink. I'm not trying to sound preach-y, just wanted to brighten your outlook a little.

[Krisps]

I think what has happened in Erie is that many of the large high-profile manufacturers have down-sized or moved (which is what we observe regularly in the local media) and this has created more opportunity for smaller, more flexible, more efficient companies (which get very little media exposure). This is true for NY state as well. GE is the only giant manufacturer left in town and people have talked of them leaving Erie behind for many years, but their Erie operations have been doing very well for the past few years.

[kpoeppel]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

The Manufacturer's Association would disagree with any opinion saying Erie is rust belt. Citing figures provided by the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry, they sponsored a full page add in this week's Times-News. Manufacturing is the single largest employer in Erie County, there are 529 companies located in Erie County. 24, 844 people work in manufacturing in Erie County. The total annual payroll for manufacturing is $1.1 billion, or 27% of the total payroll in the county. $1.2 billion worth of goods are exported by Erie County manufacturers annually. Also, GE just held their shareholders meeting here - you should have seen the pictures of private jets at the airport!

I saw that article too. But wasn't it also the Manufacturing Association that listed Wal-Mart and the Hospitals among the top four employers in Erie County? If Wal-Mart and hospitals are among the top four employers, that's a pretty good indication of a typical Rust Belt economy with an aging population.

[esya]

If NW Pa employers are still hiring illegals they are breaking the law and should be reported. This includes subcontractors. Any immigrant that is working either has a permit to work (and those were reduced drastically in 2008 and beyond) or the employer should be reported. The only groups that advertise the rights of workers are unions so don't blame them--if we want immigrants to know and respect worker rights then we have to inform them of those rules. Employers too. The Mnfg assoc and small business groups all pay lobbyists to keep down worker rights. Whose side are you on?