Local economy suffers as nation's jobless rate hits highest number in 26 years
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Nov 7, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 9, 2009
First the city's only bookstore, now a high-end restaurant.
Laredoans are wondering what’s going on with businesses here at home and asking if more closures are to come.
A Laredo bookstore, a restaurant, and downtown businesses, all falling victims to an economy of uneasy consumers.
“I was disappointed. It’s too bad they can’t stay open.”
“Maybe more people are just buying groceries and cooking at home.”
City representatives say it was all just a matter of time.
”It took awhile for the impact of the state of the economy to seep down to south Texas but it has” Says Laredo Chamber of Commerce president Miguel Conchas.
The news comes as the government reports that the jobless rate hit 10 point 2 percent last month, the highest since 1983.
Here in Laredo, September’s unemployment rate hit just over nine percent.
At least 60 Outback Steakhouse employees may soon add to the list after the restaurant closes its doors Saturday.
“I was like what! I was going to cook some chicken on the grill and I thought I’m going to Outback.”
Miguel Conchas of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce calls the situation a double whammy of a bad U.S. economy and devaluating the Mexican peso.
Chamber of Commerce officials say the next thing to do is advertise new shopping opportunities in Laredo this season, banking on shoppers to make it a merry Christmas in Laredo.
Some stores sell as much as 50 percent of their sales for the year this season.
The Chamber has now launched navidadenlaredo.com a website geared to the Mexican market advertising Laredo’s best offers, hoping to get even the smallest boost in sales.
No one really knows for sure just how much people will spend but Conchas says perhaps the best news is knowing things could be worse.
“But certainly again it is nothing we should sit back and say everything is cool because it's not.” Conchas says the swine flu also played a big role in scaring people away from the border.
He says the biggest highlight at this point is that Laredo has not seen unemployment rates in the double digits compared to other border cities like McAllen, which has an 11 point 6 percent jobless rate.
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City Leaders Are Asleep said on Saturday, Nov 7 at 4:06 PM
Mr. Conchas has survived professionally many years by keeping politics at arms length. The Chamber and City Convention and Visitors Bureau need help. City leaders need to dedicate funds and efforts in marketing so that less businesses fall. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau needs an experience leader at the helm. The Director is a puppet to the politicians. Politicians should let the experts do their job and start investing to help secure a better future for businesses. Get real City Leaders
31757231Anzaldo-you said on Saturday, Nov 7 at 5:19 PM
Hear hear! You go girl! ...or man.
31759526Big O said on Saturday, Nov 7 at 6:25 PM
DIDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31761396Hi my name is Blasita Lopez said on Saturday, Nov 7 at 8:19 PM
I am the Director of the Convention Dept. for the City of Laredo. I have a nice cozy job due to my political connections. My experience as a promoter is not up to par as they might say. However, since I have a pretty face I make 120 thousand dollars a year with full benefits including a nice pension. I really don't care if Laredo makes it or not, as long as I have my weekly check....bye now and take care.
31764939Lie-Redo said on Saturday, Nov 7 at 11:03 PM
Don;'t you have to be legal to be counted?Oh not in Laredo,the ileegals get all the benefits their cousins in Laredo can give them.LA-CORRUPT-O.
31769826puppets said on Sunday, Nov 8 at 10:54 AM
thats all we have in laredo is puppets city manager controls them or they dont get hired.
31785496What economy? said on Monday, Nov 9 at 10:29 PM
Did the candle factory burn down?There is no industry in Laredo people!Roach coaches do not count.Drug dealing and being a coyote do not count.
31866234Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said on Tuesday, Nov 10 at 10:07 AM
Our number one industry is suffering, come on folks lets get those lawns growing, we are running out of beer money.
31882769big bird said on Tuesday, Nov 10 at 11:43 AM
Ain't it strange that so many people are out of work yet 9 out of 10 have cell phones. priorities?
31888346fools said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 12:28 PM
the city have us maked as fools,this city needs more good paying jobs,but our so called leaders are planning a 7 day vacation trip saying its for future business what a waste of our hard earned tax dollar.VOTE THEM OUT LAREDO
31946129JT said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 4:00 PM
Big Bird, you should check out the WIC drive through on New York and Zacatecas. Look at the vehicles that are being driven by those people...navigators, escalades, yukons...etc
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