Some recent media activity on public radio and in Wall Street Journal...

Rose Baker and I were interviewed on a National Public Radio affiliate, WITF-FM, about our research on the economic impact of the pending layoffs at Hershey Foods in Hershey, Pennsylvania (see our Economic and Workforce Brief product). Here is the summary:

New report shows ripple effect of Hershey job cuts in the midstate 05/15/2007, Scott Gilbert
(University Park) -- Plans by The Hershey Company to cut as many as 900 jobs at three plants in Derry Township could impact nearly 1,600 additional jobs across Dauphin and Lebanon counties. That's according to research conducted by the Workforce Assessment Center at Penn State University. The report was co-authored by Education Professor David Passmore, who says layoffs in one industry impact several others.
Passmore sound snippet
Passmore notes that, for every 100 workers it employs, the confectionery manufacturing industry creates $10.5 million worth of compensation in Dauphin County’s economy. Researchers say the numbers demonstrate the need to set aside more career development funds to deal with the ripple effects of mass layoffs.

Also, the Wall Street Journal carried as today's lead story in the "Weekend Journal" section an article, "The Rise of MeMail," which contains an interview with me about the signature line in my e-mail. For as long as the link lasts, see the online version at the WSJ web site or see the PDF copy I made.

Now, for a cup of coffee!