How are we making a living in Owatonna? This is what People's Press said about Owatonna being hit by the reccession "Recent statistics suggested that unemployment in Steele County was on the decline. Steele County’s unemployment hit a high note in March at 9.6 percent, but by September the unemployment rate had fallen to 7.7 percent. The next figures will be available Nov. 24. " Personally, my parents have their own business so my family has not been affected with the recession. But Viracon and Wenger have been hit the most in Owatonna. Half of the laid off employees were voluntary. At Viracon the glass fabrication company laid off 250 people in January 2009 and Wenger laid off 100 people in March of 2009 and another 23 people in November. So this would be the second major cut in Wenger. As for the rest of the employess that remained in Viracon and Wenger were given lower wages and salaries. My bestfriends dad was one of the employees who got laid off just a couple weeks ago. He said "It really sucks being laid off,because I do not know how I am going to find another job in Owatonna, since I do not have a degree on anything." OUCH!! But he has been working at Viracon for more then five years! Maybe, he will get his job back. But after working there for so long how did he get laid off? Also, when I was in the waiting room at Riverland I ran into a middle aged lady and she started talking to me about her life. She told how she has been working at Pearsons here in Owatonna for more then 10 years and she got laid off. Therefore she had to come to Riverland try to earn another degree and find another job! Wow! that really is shocking and scary because, you never know when you will lose your job. Hopefully Owatonna can rise back to the top!!! =)
..........MY information about Wenger and Viracon was provided http://www.owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=111830
