Hundreds wait to apply for jobs in North Canton

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - About 1,000 people waited in a cold drizzle in North Canton to apply for 100 new manufacturing jobs at Suarez Corporation Industries.

The jobs-- general labor and warehouse positions-- will pay between $7.50 and $14 per hour.

Suarez needs workers to build portable heaters. The products were manufactured in China, but the company recently decided to give the jobs to local people and build the heaters at home.

"It's really clear that this is a good thing, bringing these jobs back, especially into North Canton because there are so many people that need work," said Lauren Capo, a spokesperson for Suarez.

Matthew Fulton and his wife, Dorthy, were among the people who waited in the long line to fill out an application.

Matthew has been out of work in the construction field since last October. Dorothy works two days a week cleaning homes. The couple has five children and is on Welfare.

"I've always been able to pick up jobs pretty easy, but it's not so easy," Matthew Fulton said.

"By the time that I pay for gas, I make about $150 to $200 a week," Dorothy Fulton said.

Dr. Lucas Engelhardt, an associate professor of economics at Kent State University at Stark, said the overall trend of the economy in northeast Ohio is getting better.

"Things are still worse than normal, but not as bad as they were a year ago," Dr. Engelhardt said.

He also said unemployment numbers are down-- in Stark County from 13 percent to 10 percent-- and that interest rates are low, giving businesses a reason to expand.

"The problem is interest rates won't stay low forever, so the question in my mind is whether businesses are accounting for this or not," Dr. Engelhardt said.

Suarez officials said the company could hire several hundred more people in the coming months or years.