Economic concerns linger
Survey: Job security still a worry for residents
Source: MaryBeth Matzek, Appleton Post-Crescent

APPLETON, WI — March 18, 2004 — While they think Wisconsin is a good place to live, state residents believe there’s definite room for improvement. Concerns still run high on job losses, rising health care costs and taxes, according to the third quarterly “Wisconsin Quality of Life Index” released this week by the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA).

“Job security and health care concerns are highest among those in the 45 to 55 age bracket. They have seen friends and neighbors lose their jobs and wonder if that will happen to them,” said Jim Wood, president of Madison-based Wood Communications, which conducted the telephone survey of 400 people.

Residents are heartened by reports like the one issued Tuesday by Manpower International that more local businesses are planning to add jobs during the next three months, he said. Forty-five percent of state residents surveyed believe Wisconsin is on the right track and 84 percent say things will get better or remain the same for them over the next 12 months. “We are seeing more optimism out there, but a lot of it is related to age, income and the level of employment,” Wood said.

Members of Generation X tend to be more upbeat about their personal economic future as well as the state’s, Wood said. “Wisconsin’s economy and society is in a state of transition. Those in the 18-to-34 age bracket tend to be in more professional jobs, work for smaller companies or are self-employed. These factors tend to make them more optimistic about the future,” he said.

That optimism, along with record-low interest rates, is fueling strong interest in the home market for the younger set, said Candace Kriner, owner of Century 21 First Realty in Appleton. “Younger people are in stable jobs and they want to buy homes. They’re positive about the future,” she said. That holds true for Pam Olson of Grand Chute. The 31-year-old is just days away from closing on her first house.

“With the low interest rates, it just made sense now to buy. It’s actually cheaper than renting. I think the economy will get better,” she said. Those categorized as being in the professional, managerial or technical fields also tend to be more secure, Wood said.

“There is more opportunities for them. Older workers tend to be employed in the skilled trades and those unfortunately are the areas that are seeing the cutbacks,” he said.
Wood’s research discovered that 27 percent of those between 18 and 34 are in the skilled trades while 41 percent of those in the 45-to-55 age bracket are employed in that field.

Forty-nine percent of the state’s residents see Wisconsin as a special place to live while 38 percent think it’s the same as other states. That may spell trouble when it comes to luring new businesses to the state, Wood said.

“It’s a hassle if you’re trying to sell this state to businesses and the people living here aren’t selling it,” he said. “The state may need to do a better job of selling itself to its residents.” As for the future, eight in 10 people polled expect their personal situation to get better or remain the same during the next 12 months.

MaryBeth Matzek can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 292, or by e-mail at mmatzek@postcrescent.com