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Connersville hit hard by economy

  • The east-central Indiana city of Connersville was nicknamed ''Little Detroit'' because of its dependence on the auto industry. Like the real Motor City, the Fayette County seat has struggled with job losses. -

    The east-central Indiana city of Connersville was nicknamed ''Little Detroit'' because of its dependence on the auto industry. Like the real Motor City, the Fayette County seat has struggled with job losses.

  • In February, Fayette County's jobless rate reached 14.7 percent-among the highest in the state. More than half of the county's 25,000 residents live in Connersville. -

    In February, Fayette County's jobless rate reached 14.7 percent-among the highest in the state. More than half of the county's 25,000 residents live in Connersville.

  • Visteon Corp. closed its cooling-systems factory in Connersville in December 2007, costing 890 employees some of the city's best-paying jobs. - IBJ Photo by: Robin Jerstad

    Visteon Corp. closed its cooling-systems factory in Connersville in December 2007, costing 890 employees some of the city's best-paying jobs.

  • As Connersville's unemployment rate has grown, so have the lines outside the First United Methodist Church downtown, which houses a free medical clinic twice a month. -

    As Connersville's unemployment rate has grown, so have the lines outside the First United Methodist Church downtown, which houses a free medical clinic twice a month.

  • Patient Cary Cloyd fills out registration paperwork for the twice-monthly free clinic at First United Methodist Church in Connersville. - IBJ Photo by: Robin Jerstad

    Patient Cary Cloyd fills out registration paperwork for the twice-monthly free clinic at First United Methodist Church in Connersville.

  • Dr. Keith Dobyns examines 1-year-old Cash Boulware as he's held by his mother, Rebecca Boulware. - IBJ Photo by: Robin Jerstad

    Dr. Keith Dobyns examines 1-year-old Cash Boulware as he's held by his mother, Rebecca Boulware.

  • Former Visteon employee Mona Rowland is taking advantage of federal funding intended to retrain displaced workers, studying for a degree in social work at Indiana University East in Richmond. -

    Former Visteon employee Mona Rowland is taking advantage of federal funding intended to retrain displaced workers, studying for a degree in social work at Indiana University East in Richmond.

  • Rick Kurz and two partners bought onetime Visteon hangout Mousie's restaurant and bar less three months after the plant closed. - IBJ Photo by: Robin Jerstad

    Rick Kurz and two partners bought onetime Visteon hangout Mousie's restaurant and bar less three months after the plant closed.

  • Mousie's has perservered despite Connersville's struggles. The owner credits its $1 draft beer and friendly service. - IBJ Photo by: Robin Jerstad

    Mousie's has perservered despite Connersville's struggles. The owner credits its $1 draft beer and friendly service.

  • With economists predicting the statewide average unemployment rate will reach 10 percent this year, the experience of a hard-hit community like Connersville offers a glimpse of what lies ahead for the rest of Indiana. -

    With economists predicting the statewide average unemployment rate will reach 10 percent this year, the experience of a hard-hit community like Connersville offers a glimpse of what lies ahead for the rest of Indiana.