COVID-19

After two consecutive weeks of increases in initial unemployment claims, claims fell by 249,000 to 1,186,000, the lowest level since the start of the pandemic. The decline is at least partially due to the end of the $600 enhance unemployment benefit provided in the Cares Act, the loss of which reducing the incentive to file a claim.

The vast majority of Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses in the Heartland do not have employees, and that may have resulted in the two groups receiving inequitable shares of Payroll Protection Program loans.

Ross DeVol and Angie Cooper
We are all invested in the idea of upward economic mobility, grounded in the notion that with hard work, we can build a better life for ourselves, our communities and our children. Unfortunately, the analysis in this report makes it clear that the distribution of opportunity has been and continues to be uneven.

The week ending July 25, 2020, was the 19th week during which over 1 million initial claims were filed. Consistent with the estimated 2nd quarter GDP decline of 32.9 percent, the US economy ails from the pandemic-induced recession.

The week ending July 18, 2020, was the 17th week during which over 1 million initial claims were filed. With 32 states realizing an increase in initial UI claims, it also marked the first time since March that seasonally adjusted claims increased from the previous week.

Coronavirus, anger over policing and strained budgets pack triple punch in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Boston, but don’t count cities out, urban experts say

The week ending July 4, 2020, was the 16th week during which over 1 million initial claims were filed. With 32 states realizing an increase in initial UI claims, it also marked the first time since March that seasonally unadjusted claims increased from the previous week.

Entrepreneurs and young firms are the future major employers and they need support.

Despite an optimistic jobs report last week, recessionary effects, like decreasing orders for manufactured goods and lackluster consumer spending, are contributing to the numbers of those furloughed or laid off. Additionally, some states are reinstating restrictions on businesses, such as closing bars and increasing limits on restaurant capacity, to limit growth in COVID-19 cases.

With almost no change in the number of initial unemployment claims over last week, some state economies may be worse off this week than last. Several southern and western states have realized rises in COVID-19 cases, and a few states are reinstating measures to limit its spread. These efforts, combined with employees contracting or quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure, is hampering employers in hiring back furloughed employees.

As states continue to lift restrictions on businesses, hiring is stagnant, even though spending is increasing somewhat. According to Chetty et al. (2020)¹, until high-income households emerge from isolation and resume spending at pre-pandemic levels employment will not grow significantly. New COVID-19 hotspots throughout the country further complicate the situation as workers seek assistance while they quarantine and/or recover.

Today Heartland Forward announced additional investments in its programming efforts, including the creation of a chief program officer role, underscoring the "do" in its mission as a "think and do" tank.

Businesses continue to face challenges to increasing production, sales and employment levels, and rising COVID-19 cases in many places across the country further complicate these processes (e.g., workers having to quarantine after exposure, limiting available workers).

Rising COVID-19 cases and safety requirements, supply chain issues, and childcare issues are some of the factors making it difficult for businesses to return to pre-pandemic production and employment levels. The worst-hit states continue to be those dependent on tourism and manufacturing.

Message from Heartland Forward's President and CEO - Ross DeVol

As states continue to reopen their economies, insured unemployment rates fell in 37 states, indicating that fewer workers are receiving unemployment insurance benefits. However, 13 states saw their insured unemployment rate increase, and factors like limited capacity requirements at restaurants and retailers, consumer fears, and supply chain disruptions continued to weigh down employment growth.

This week’s report revealed that roughly 1.9 million initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed the week ending May 23, 2020. An additional 1.2 million claims were filed for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

This week’s report revealed that nearly 2.44 million initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed the week ending May 16, 2020. An additional 2.23 million initial claims were filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which covers self-employed, contract and part-time workers. Thirty-two states saw their insured unemployment rates drop.

This week’s report revealed that nearly 2.98 million initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed the week ending May 9, 2020. Nineteen states saw their continued claims fall, suggesting that people may be going back to work in those states.

This week’s report revealed that nearly 3.17 million initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed the week ending May 2, 2020, suggesting that tomorrow’s release of the April jobs report will reveal record job losses. Only 6 states realized an increase in initial claims, and these increases were much lower than in previous weeks ranging from 3,125 to 27,337.

This industry-specific platform provides a single source for recommendations on how you can help the Arkansas economy recover from the effects of COVID-19. The information provided here is based on science, data, and the decision making of our state leaders and industry experts. Working smart, safe, and together makes Arkansas Ready for Business.

Manufacturing faces increased job losses due to COVID-19, but this presents the industry an opportunity to re-evaluate supply chains, introduce new products, and innovate – to leverage the Heartland’s resources and build resilient economies.

Initial unemployment claims continue to rise, though at a slower rate for the 3rd week in a row. Enhanced unemployment benefits pose a challenge to reopening the economy.

In addition to our analysis on initial and cumulative unemployment insurance claims by state, we introduce analysis on insured unemployment rates by state to better monitor responses to states that are reopening their economies.

New weekly unemployment insurance claims continue to moderate, but remain at levels unseen before the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, new claims filed since March 1st are now above 20 percent of pre-outbreak employment in some states.


Michigan has been hit particularly hard, with the worst mortality rate in the country and the second-worst share of pre-outbreak employment that have filed unemployment insurance claims.

Because of the digital divide, not all parts of U.S. have benefited from the utility of broadband connectivity during the coronavirus pandemic

New weekly unemployment insurance claims have come down slightly from last week's record-setting levels. Looking at the unemployment insurance data and data on confirmed COVID-19 cases, Louisiana is being severely impacted from both a health and economic perspective.

New unemployment insurance claims rose again for the U.S. and most states, as the fallout from the coronavirus continues.

Ross DeVol
The most extensive negative consequences of COVID-19 on the Heartland will be attributable to the related, but indirect impacts, of reduced oil and gas exploration and extraction operations

The Heartland is home to a significant portion of the United State’s airlines and aerospace manufacturing. Given the huge drop-off in airline travel and the significant role that travel, tourism, airlines, and aerospace manufacturing play in the Heartland's economy, we wanted to dive into this area further.

The economic slowdown resulting from the coronavirus outbreak has led to massive increases in new unemployment insurance claims

How COVID-19 will impact communities in the Heartland and beyond, and how policymakers can respond

Recent federal changes to the unemployment insurance (UI) program authorized employee eligibility under certain conditions related to COVID-19

The contributors address a fundamental topic for future economic success
in the Heartland: Will Millennials return and remain at higher rates?

How a Chinese economic slowdown could impact a vulnerable Heartland trucking industry