Sep 28, 2009

Confidence, optimism grow in pockets of U.S. as firms rehireBy Judy KeenUSAToday.com

Paris, Ill. — Inside the Simonton Windows factory here, some workers who are back on the job after being laid off for months believe they are proof that the darkest days of the recession are over.

“They’re saying things are getting better, and people don’t seem as worried,” says Cammie Hixson, 49, who was laid off for almost four months. “I think the economy has turned around.”

The nation’s unemployment rate is 9.7% and it’s even higher — 10% — in Edgar County, where Paris is the county seat. Even so, signs of recovery are beginning to emerge.

Although 84% of Americans said in a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll this month that they believe the nation is in a recession, 52% said things are getting better. Almost two-thirds expect the economy to be better but not fully recovered a year from now.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Sept. 15 that the recession is “very likely over,” but he warned that the recovery isn’t likely to create many jobs.

“It is still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time as many people still find their job security and their employment status is not what they wish it was,” he said.

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