Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Fayette: Jobless Rate Used Pitch Technical School

A similar argument was used over ten years ago to promote the so-called economic development program crafted by state legislators back in 1998, quickly so, known as Keystone Opportunity Zones.

Basically, we need this tax-free designation for property in the area, thousands of acres, to attract "new" industry. Attract new employers, and attract newcomers such as employees who would in turn relocate in declining population areas. In turn, these CEO's would build upscale houses, and employees would relocate as well, either building anew or purchasing existing houses.

They would add to the tax base, meanwhile, the new industry would have tax exemption status on local property taxes, and other taxes and state taxes, for a 'limited' time... all would work out once the tax-free properties go back on the tax rolls.

Nice promise. Reports have not been so glowing statewide.

What's particularly egregious? The website to promote the tax-exemptions is called zerotaxes.

Yep, zero taxes.

http://www.zerotaxes.org/county_Fayette.asp

For some. Meanwhile, during the period of tax-forgiveness for some, who has to continue to pay the tax bill for new construction of schools, deficits in a city beset by fiscal problems, and a county bond arranged back in 2000?

Residential and business property owners who not only face potential fines for 'code violations' but could face loss of property for failure to meet tax obligations.

Meanwhile, the same argument is being used to promote construction of a new votech/career center.

We need the center to train local students for jobs that remain unfilled locally.

According to the Herald-Standard's report highlighting remarks of Michael Krajovic...

Jobless rate tops 10 percent

..."Just as a current example, we see a significant increase in inquiries from different companies that service the natural gas industry about our job market. There are many job opportunities that are being created now and will grow in the future. We don't have the right skill sets in some of these areas and the companies have to go outside to find workers,'' he said.

"We still need to focus on our educational system. While some improvement has been made, it's not enough. We need a new technical school so students can get the proper education to meet the employment requirements of today."...

http://www.heraldstandard.com/news_detail/article/1631/2009/october/28/jobless-rate-tops-10-percent.html


Fayette Forward 2020 County Plan

http://www.fayetteforward.org/?page_id=355

Oops, don't consider that it's more than likely the population numbers for the area will have declined after the 2010 census numbers are revealed.

Area schools have reported declines in student population.

What's also astonishing, how the 10% unemployment rate figure is being used.

Is it so bad that Fayette is actually ranked not first, not second, not even 20th, but 50th of 67 counties for jobless rate?

As important to consider, while it's certainly necessary to raise the quality of education in the area public schools, if the jobs are unfilled now, wouldn't one want to attract outsiders into the county to fill the jobs now, thus having the potential for new home construction, an increase in local population, and the potential for new 'outside the area' employees who in turn have children who would enter the schools.

We need far more substantiation than has been given that a new tech school is necessary. But it's not likely we'll be getting that anytime soon because it's a given political deals are usually made behind closed doors.

In other words, what will school districts who'd opt into a plan for a new technical school be promised this time around?

Some have been more than frustrated that the KOZs haven't exactly accomplished what was promised after ten years. School directors (and at least one county commissioner) (and at least a few members of municipality boards) have nixed the more recent KOZ extension, or some portion of it for some municipal property.

Hopefully, before school board members enter into any agreement for a new technical school facility questions will be publicly asked and adequate answers provided.


Net the Truth Online

Jobless rate tops 10 percent
October 28, 2009 02:54 AM TEXT SIZE By: JAMES PLETCHER JR.
Herald Standard
Fayette County is one of seven counties in the PMSA. The others are Washington, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Beaver.

Nimal blamed layoffs and job cuts in Fayette County for the increase in unemployment, rather than people bloating the labor force searching for jobs. Fayette County's labor force in September totaled 66,400 people. In August, the total was 66,300. However, the number of unemployed residents rose from 6,500 in August to 6,800 in September, according to state figures.

"Fayette County is following a pattern similar in other metropolitan statistical areas where they have had manufacturing job losses. The unemployment count in Fayette is also at its highest level since February 1992,'' Nimal said.

"This high unemployment rate certainly is a result of the global economic downturn but also the failure of our educational institutions to provide the workforce we need today,'' said Mike Krajovic, president of Fay-Pen Economic Development Council.

"It's not surprising to me to hear that the figures are going up. What is disappointing is there are still job opportunities here that are not being filled due to a lack of education or skill levels required for those positions.

"Just as a current example, we see a significant increase in inquiries from different companies that service the natural gas industry about our job market. There are many job opportunities that are being created now and will grow in the future. We don't have the right skill sets in some of these areas and the companies have to go outside to find workers,'' he said.

"We still need to focus on our educational system. While some improvement has been made, it's not enough. We need a new technical school so students can get the proper education to meet the employment requirements of today."

Krajovic continued, "From our perspective, we have the challenge to address this unemployment rate. Crossing the double-digit threshold shows there are challenges that we need to be doing everything possible to meet at the local level.

Meanwhile, neighboring county unemployment rates also rose in September. Greene County's rates were 8.4 percent in September and 8.2 percent in August. Washington County's unemployment rates also were 8.4 percent in September and 8.2 percent in August. By comparison, Greene County's September 2008 rate was 6.1 percent and Washington County's rate was 5.4 percent.

In terms of ranking among Pennsylvania's 67 counties, Fayette County had the 50th highest rate, while Greene and Washington counties both placed 17th. The highest jobless rate in the state in September was 17 percent in Cameron County and the lowest was 6.1 percent in Centre County.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/news_detail/article/1631/2009/october/28/jobless-rate-tops-10-percent.html


Related

Guide

http://www.co.fayette.pa.us/fayette/lib/fayette/an_economic_development_&_tourism_guide.pdf

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