The Global recession is certainly being felt now in Saugeen region.
Figures released by the Sagueen Economic Development Corporation show all 6 indicators with negative numbers in the First quarter of the year.
Unemployment reached almost 2 thousand people by the end of February, up nearly 28 per cent from a year ago.
Economic Development Officer Bill Lang says car sales in the first two months of the year are down 30 per cent, continuing the downward trend that started in the fall.
Lang says the manufacturing sector numbers were not bad in the first quarter, but with layoffs coming in July at Interforest he says the region will be hit hard.
The number of people looking for social assistance in Saugeen region is up by 15 per cent from the level in 2008, and both construction and real estate sales are down.
Lang hopes the economy starts to turn around over the summer so he has more positive news to report in the 2nd half of 2009.