Summary 6: Kanabec County Sees Stimulus Program

STIMULUS MONEY FLOWS... ...BABY STEPS FOLLOW
By Mike Kaszuba
Star Tribune, Thursday October 8th, 2009

Summary: The $787 billion stimulus program from President Obama is reaching Kanabec County which has the highest double-digit unemployment rate of any county in Minnesota. This stimulus increase has recently raised pressing questions about the difference it can actually make because even with the increase the national jobless rate continues to creep higher. Not only that but, Obama is considering a second stimulus package that could include a mix of new spending and tax cuts.

Unfortunately, Kanabec County has problems that are larger than any temporary cash flow can solve. For decades, they have remained relatively isolated due to the lack of major highways. In January and February, during the hardest recession since the 1930s, their unemployment peaked at 17.8 percent and sits at 11.2 percent today. At Kanabec Hospital, the county’s largest employer, costs to treat uninsured patients jumped from $2 million to $3.1 million in two years. However, despite these few downfalls, the federal stimulus money is making baby steps possible.