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To: donald sew who wrote (32239)	11/4/1999 1:18:00 PM
From: Benkea	Respond to of 99985

Thursday November 4, 12:58 pm Eastern Time U.S. counties cite "serious" labor shortages WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Businesses in large U.S. urban counties face ''serious'' difficulties finding skilled workers amid the tight labor market, with shortages particularly acute in technology, a survey of county officials showed on Thursday. The National Association of Counties Large Urban County Caucus polled county officials working in economic development, labor and trade specialties about labor market conditions in their regions. Eighty-five percent of the counties in the survey reported that businesses in their area were experiencing a shortage of highly skilled workers. Of those, 96 percent characterized the shortage as ''serious'' or ''very serious.'' Technology was the sector where shortages appeared to be most severe, cited by 88 percent of the officials. That was followed by manufacturing, which was listed by 36 percent of the officials and health with 32 percent. In 51 percent of the counties, officials said they faced a shortage of low-skilled workers. County officials said they were concerned that the healthy economic growth they have seen in recent years won't be sustained unless the labor crunch eases up a bit. The urban caucus represents the nation's top 102 counties, with their combined populations accounting for nearly half of all Americans, according to the National Association of Counties. Officials in 54 of the counties responded to the survey. Nationwide, the U.S. unemployment rate is 4.2 percent, close to its lowest level in around three decades.

To: donald sew who wrote (32239)	11/4/1999 1:30:00 PM
From: Robert Rose	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 99985

Donald, your points are well-taken. My point is only that it's just as important to affirm the good as acknowledge the bad. Personally, I am very grateful to be witnessing first-hand the greatest technological revolution in history. Not only do I benefit greatly in my every day life, but it continues to transform my financial well-being through my investments. I am fortunate to live in what is arguably the greatest country on earth, and in a lovely community to boot. I mention this not to downplay the negative in life, because that has always been with humankind, and always will be. But I see a lot of cynicism on all these threads, so I'm attempting to provide a little bit of balance.