Unemployment rampant in Kokomo

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) - In Kokomo, the jobless rate has spiked 6.2 percentage points. The increase puts Kokomo's unemployment rate at 17.4 percent.

Roger Mossholder has a girlfriend who's seven months pregnant, bills to pay and no job. He was laid off months ago from a roofing job and applications at businesses around town have gone unanswered.

"Everybody is laying off, everybody,” said Mossholder.

Mossholder's neighbor, Shon Bosworth, is dealing with the same problem.

"I just lost my job at Subway and it's hard to find a job anywhere now since Chrysler has been laying off. I tried to get back on at Tyson,” said Bosworth.

Bosworth has taken extreme measures to make money by donating his plasma in exchange for cash.

"I got a daughter and a wife and I have to get money anyway I can. I donate at Bio Life, $60 a week is better than nothing,” said Bosworth.

Kokomo's unemployment rate grew to 17.4 percent in February. From the troubled automotive industry to fledgling factory jobs, Kokomo is suffering.

Almost a year ago, then Senator Obama visited the community, noting already existing problems. Residents were concerned then, now those same people are distressed. The situation has gotten so bad, some residents said they would pack up and move to another city where the job situation isn’t as bad.

“But I have to save up enough money to relocate, so it's kind of like a trap -- a big circle,” said Bosworth.

Ten years ago, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Howard County's unemployment rate at only 2.5 percent.