ASHLAND — Statistics recently released from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show Ashland County’s unemployment rate has remained low compared to other Ohio counties throughout the early months of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
According to the data published in late June, Ashland County recorded a 9.6 percent unemployment rate in May, ranking the ninth lowest in the state.
Ashland is one of only 10 counties with unemployment rates below 10 percent in May. It trailed Madison (9.5), Knox (9.3), Wayne (9.2), Mercer (9.0), Athens (9.0), Union (8.8), Delaware (8.4) and Holmes (5.1) counties. Greene County was ranked 10th lowest with 9.9 percent.
Further, Ashland registered several points lower than the state (13.4) and national (13.3) averages.
In April, Ashland County’s unemployment rate ranked comparatively low, too. Though it jumped from 5.4 percent in March to 12.6 percent in April, the high rate was the sixth lowest in Ohio. The rate in Ashland remained well ahead of the state (17.4) and national (14.4) averages.
“We’ve asked local employers how they managed, and some had orders stopped, but many were very intentional about keeping staff in place and keeping the workforce employed,” said Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services director Peter Stefaniuk.
Many used the Paycheck Protection Program to keep their workforce employed in the trying time. More than 60 participated in the short-term loan program, reportedly retaining 4,874 jobs.
“We were very fortunate in the fact that most every one of our county’s major employers had some aspect of their operation that was deemed essential,” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, who serves as the president for Grow Ashland’s board of directors.
The local economic development organization serves Ashland County in its entirety.
“We didn’t see them (completely) close in the ensuing months. Some closed for two weeks, but continued to pay employees; some reduced lines; and others began producing items that were safety-related, but as a result of these employers not closing down, most of these men and women continued to work,” Miller continued.
He saw local restaurants and downtown shops adapt, too. Restaurants offered delivery and pick up, and shops altered their businesses to reach customers online.
Still, at least four small businesses closed. On Ashland’s Main Street, Priceless Treats and Juliana’s Bridal announced intentions to close. Belly Busters and Bella Blues also closed following pandemic-related orders.
“In each of those instances, when you talk to the owners, they don’t attribute their closing entirely to COVID,” Miller said.
Miller attributes the quick rebound between April and May to the fact that local employers are again hiring. Particularly manufacturers — which are the most significant contributor to Ashland County’s economy — have unfilled positions.
“Some of them have contacted their employees that went on unemployment for a variety of reasons, and what they’re finding is some of those individuals want to wait a little longer before they come back to work,” Miller said. “The companies are being forced into a position where they have to go ahead and fill the position. They have orders to fill; the world is back up and running, and they can’t wait for those people to wait out their COVID unemployment.”
About 21.5 percent of the local economy is dependent on the manufacturing industry, according to Stefaniuk. Ashland’s diverse manufacturing base alone sets up the county to better weather any storm.
Moving forward, he and Miller both believe it will help the county withstand any upcoming challenges.
“If any particular industry is hit, we can still be resilient. Because while one company may have a slow season, there’s likely another one having the highest volume of sales yet,” Miller said.
Miller mentioned a manufacturer recently informed the city of plans to expand. The project had been put on hold during March and April, but the company sees no reason to wait any longer, he said.
“That’s an indication of where the markets are and where the local mindsets are,” Miller said.
Knoxpages reporter Grant Pepper contributed to this report.
