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"Hard Times Harder In the Motor City" by S. Hulett

From: Michigan Radio Economy Special
Length: 04:11

A look the epicenter of the recession, and how this downturn compares with previous ones. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: "Hard Times Harder In the Motor City" by S. Hulett
From: Michigan Radio Economy Special

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This piece takes a look at the depth of the economic downturn in Detroit, with scenes including desperation and chaos at an event where housing & utility assistance was being made available; the bleak outlook for out-of-work Detroiters; and the strain the recession - long and deep in the Motor City - has put on the social safety net. The piece also includes some perspective from an economist, who compares what Michigan and the nation are going through now with previous downturns. Produced for the "Finding Our Bootstraps" project.

Piece Description

This piece takes a look at the depth of the economic downturn in Detroit, with scenes including desperation and chaos at an event where housing & utility assistance was being made available; the bleak outlook for out-of-work Detroiters; and the strain the recession - long and deep in the Motor City - has put on the social safety net. The piece also includes some perspective from an economist, who compares what Michigan and the nation are going through now with previous downturns. Produced for the "Finding Our Bootstraps" project.

Transcript

Michigan’s economy went off the rails long before the national recession officially began in December of 2007.

But then things got even worse – with desperate scenes like the one at Detroit’s convention center.

The city got enough federal money to help about 35-hundred people with rent and utilities. But when the applications were made available, tens of thousands of people showed up. Here’s how Detroit TV station WXYZ covered the scene:

"Chaos at Cobo…"<>

In 2009, Detroit’s unemployment rate was often above 25 percent. And that number does not include the people who’ve given up looking for work…or who can only find part-time jobs.

"Where are the jobs?"

Ronald Morris is among those still looking. Morris has been laid off from his job test driving Ford vehicles for nearly a year. He’s had some interviews, but no job offers.

"I’m able bodied, re...
Read the full transcript

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

Imagine a device like a Geiger counter. But instead of measuring radiation, this tool would gauge economic trouble. If you aimed this gadget at the United States, you’d hear pretty steady clicks these days. Point it at Michigan, those clicks would get faster. Zero in on Detroit? The thing would go nuts.

Michigan Radio’s Sarah Hulett has this report from the place many people see as the epicenter of this recession.

OUTRO: