Out of Control - Unemployment - Beautiful Battle C
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9/4/2009
Battle Creek (B.C.)is a beautiful town, I've lived here all my life and adore the scenery. I love the lush greens of spring and the spectacular fall colors. There are two rivers, many creeks and lakes in and outside of town. There are Parks, playing fields, walking and bike paths. There are farms with neatly plowed fields abounding with corn and other crops just outside of town. In these farm fields, you'll also see cattle and horses grazing and sometimes white tail deer running and jumping.
Unfortunately, we have new scenery that has srung up in the last decade that isn't as attractive, namely closed and boarded up businesses by the dozens. Once thriving storefront windows contain "for sale" or "for rent" signs or cereal boxes faded by several years of sun exposure.
It's almost impossible to sell a house for anything close to its worth in the greater Battle Creek area. House values have fallen sharply in the last 3 yrs. The unemployment rate has sky-rocketed to over 13%. It is probably a lot higher as that number reflects only those currently on unemployment or actively registered for work through the state's employment service. Battle Creek used to be a good place to live and raise a family but that sadly is a thing of the past.
If you seek part time, entry-level work or a high-level corporate food science position you will be able find a job in Battle Creek. However, if your skills are in the mid-level range or not related to cereal production you'll have a tough time completing with hundreds of unemployed for just one opening. Several Temporary Agencies have closed as even they cannot survive on the few jobs Battle Creek has to offer.
It makes me sad to see this beautiful town in such dire straits. I hope that someday jobs will return to Battle Creek so that all its citizens will have a decent standard of living. This Battle Creek native will be forced to leave Battle Creek soon for another community that can provide me with stable employment so I can support myself. I don't want to go, but it's getting to the point that I have no choice.
Bp | Battle Creek, MI