The popular event helps bring in much needed dollars to the county, but recently the economy has seen a big downturn, job losses have mounted and the unemployment rate has nearly doubled.

"People around here are very friendly," said Fred Owens, who was laid off from Dolco Packaging.

It's the small town feel attracted Owens to Miami County, a place he doesn't want to leave.

"In these difficult times with the economy, sometimes you have to do some things you would normally not want to do," he said.

Owens, along with several other former Dolco workers attended a meeting Tuesday about benefits they may qualify for, after the company left town late last year.

"The cost of our raw materials just skyrocketed," said Owens.

Dolco, which produced take-home food containers for restaurants, was based in Miami County for more than 30 years. Last year, executives told more than 100 workers they would no longer have a job.

"[It's] kind of disheartening, but personally I felt that I had marketable skills. I've got a little education and I thought I'd be able to find work way before now," said Owens.

Owens worked for seven years as a maintenance manager. He wants to stay in the food industry, but may have to pursue another career.

Miami County Job Center officials are helping Owens and others prepare for that change.

"I don't anticipate that the jobs that individuals have been let go from, they will be going back to. So the issue will be retraining individuals for either a new career field or updating skills for a new employer," said development coordinator Justin Sommer with the Job Center Network.

Sommer said the job center has seen a 150 percent increase in the number of people seeking help since last year. The county's unemployment rate nearly doubled from 6.5 percent in September 2008 to 11 percent in September 2009. Still, he believes change is right around the corner.

"Yes, there will be companies coming into the county that will be expanding and creating new jobs," said Sommer.

"I'll make it somehow. I've seen hard times. You adapt and overcome," said Owens.

ONN's Facing Recession Series:

If you need help finding a job or paying the bills, here's some resources to help you out.

• Ohio Job and Family Services: County Offices and Information
• The Ohio Means Jobs Web site helps match employees with people looking for a job
• For opportunites with the state of Ohio, visit the Ohio Hiring Management System
• Department of Labor Career Resources and Retraining Web Sites One-Stop and Career Voyages

If you have an great story idea about how an Ohioan is facing the recession, tell us about it here.

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