CLEVELAND -- Teenagers looking to make a little extra money this summer are going to find a very tight job market.

NewsChannel5's Ted Hart reported that teens are competing with thousands of adults who have lost their jobs in a sputtering economy.

Cuyahoga County has 43,000 fewer jobs now than it did two years ago, according to officials. Economists who watch the numbers said the situation is bad.

"We're in an economic emergency, and I don't use that term lightly," economist George Zeller said. "It's a horrible situation out there."

Now, students in high school and college are joining the mix, looking for summer jobs that just aren't there.

"I went to Tops, Wendy's, Rite Aid, Walgreens -- more than once," said Tim Mullins, who is looking for work.

"(I went to) Dillard's, Sav-a-lot, Aldi -- no luck at all," job searcher Sherita Bennett said.

Frances Burton, of Youth Opportunities Unlimited, said local governments have cut way back on subsidized summer jobs.

"This has been so far the worst summer we've had as far as trying to help kids get jobs," she said.

She also said adults are grabbing up many of the lower-paying jobs normally filled by teenagers.

But as bad as things are, Zeller said kids should not give up.

"There are some jobs to be found, but you're going to have to hustle," he said. "Forty-three thousand (were) laid off, looking for jobs too, so (the) competition (is) much greater than it usually is."

In past years, Cuyahoga County has funded as many 2,000 summer jobs for teenagers. With budget cuts, there is no word yet of any jobs being funded this summer.

It's a similar story with the city of Cleveland, so there are more people looking for fewer jobs this summer. Consequently, some kids are going to be out of luck, NewsChannel5 reported.