Mayor Duggan on decline in unemployment rate for Detroit, points to program to aimed at getting people to work

DETROIT (WXYZ) — “Detroit is the epicenter of job creation in Michigan,” mentioned Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Thursday towards the backdrop of the bottom unemployment price town has seen in over 20 years.

The unemployment price in Detroit is at the moment sitting at 6.4% – the primary time since 2000 that it has dropped beneath 7%.

The 6.4% represents 15,469 folks. Examine that to the summer time of 2009 when the unemployment price within the metropolis was 28.3%, which represented 111,135 folks.

A lot of the progress, Duggan mentioned, is because of applications, together with Detroit At Work.

“Detroit at Work at the moment has greater than 8,400 jobs out there right this moment. For the primary time in my lifetime, we now have a job out there for each Detroiter who desires one,” mentioned Duggan.

There are 9 Detroit At Work profession facilities across the metropolis.

“If you happen to by no means completed highschool otherwise you wish to brush up on math and studying, we can assist you there too,” mentioned Detroit At Work Chief Technique Officer Dana Williams.

This system goals to take away any barrier, together with childcare and transportation points, which may be stopping somebody from gaining employment, together with careers they’re enthusiastic about pursuing.,

On January 30, the Metropolis of Detroit shall be unveiling particulars round one other program known as Jumpstart that can begin with giving eligible members $600 a month for six months to assist them jumpstart their future as they pursue coaching or new employment.

The cash is along with regardless of the particular person is being paid by way of their job or coaching program.

After the primary six months, members will obtain $400 a month for the subsequent six months, after which $200 a month for the third three-month interval.

Duggan mentioned American Rescue Plan cash, which must be spent by 2026, shall be used to assist this system