Recession Over, But Hoosiers Still Hurting

   A group of economists says the recession ended more than a year ago.  

   But despite this declaration, the pain of unemployment still plagues many people in northeast Indiana, and they don’t believe the recession is over.  

   David Seagly is one of them. He got laid off last year. When that happened, he had to leave California and move to Fort Wayne to live with his parents.

   “It’s very frightening to lose your job,” said Seagly. “The frustration is just trying to find a new one.”

   Seagly had worked as a librarian. Now, he's looking for another job, but so far nothing has worked out. His circumstances make him doubt the recession is over.

   “For me personally and, I think, for a lot of others, I don’t think that the recession really is over,” said Seagly.

   David Hefty, CEO of Hefty Wealth Partners in Auburn, says the recession may be gone, but the pain will probably last for years.

   “The pain and suffering from the last recession is actually the same as it was at the deepest point or, in some cases, getting worse,” said Hefty.

   Hefty warns a double-dip recession is likely as the economy's growth continues to slow, and as the country weans itself off government stimulus spending.

   “It's going to be a long road ahead of us,” said Hefty.

   It’s a long and painful road for Lucius Hutchinson. He lost his job a few months ago.

   “I’m struggling to keep my apartment right now,” said Hutchinson. “I’m using my school funds in order to live on that.”

   Hearing the recession is over isn't very comforting.

   “The experts who are saying the recession’s over is the ones who aren’t out here struggling to get a job, who aren’t out here struggling to pay their bills,” said Hutchinson.

   Hutchinson is in school, and he believes a degree will help him find a job eventually. But right now, he’s not hopeful.

   “The recession's not over,” said Hutchinson. “We still don't have jobs here.”