Hundreds of people continue to visit the Workforce Center of West Central Texas on a daily basis, in search of a job.
Steve Collins of the Workforce Center says there are plenty of job openings right here in the Big Country.
"If you take Brownwood, Sweetwater and Abilene, you're looking at over 250 jobs right now," says Collins.
There may be jobs, but since last year, the number of unemployed people in Abilene has increased and the amount of people in the Civilian Labor Force has decreased.
Collins says there are several possible reasons for why this number has decreased so drastically.
"It could have been that they've exhausted their unemployment benefits and they're no longer counted as individuals who are seeking work," Collins explains.
In 2010 there were 83,000 people in the Civilian Labor Force and now that number has dropped to nearly 79,000.
This leaves many people wondering where these 4,000 people went.
Shelly Hatley says, "They probably went somewhere bigger that's got a lot more employment opportunities."
Employment opportunities are what Hatley has been in search of for a while now.
She has been unemployed for four years and often considers packing up her bags and moving.
Hatley says employers ask for too many qualifications.
"They want degrees, college degrees. I think people just gave up. They're tired of trying and getting told no," says Hatley.
She has seen several people leave because they could no longer afford to be unemployed.
Hatley says, "I've had a couple of friends who have just up and left because they couldn't get a job."
Hatley is trying everything in her power to get a job so she can support her family.
"My husband is in school and I've got two very small kids," says Hatley.
Even though looking at the statistical date can be scary, Hatley remains optimistic.
Hatley says, "I have had my days where I've gone home and cried and then I've had my days where I've gone home with a big old smile on my face hoping that the next day will prove me wrong."
Steve Collins of the Workforce Center says there are plenty of job openings right here in the Big Country.
"If you take Brownwood, Sweetwater and Abilene, you're looking at over 250 jobs right now," says Collins.
There may be jobs, but since last year, the number of unemployed people in Abilene has increased and the amount of people in the Civilian Labor Force has decreased.
Collins says there are several possible reasons for why this number has decreased so drastically.
"It could have been that they've exhausted their unemployment benefits and they're no longer counted as individuals who are seeking work," Collins explains.
In 2010 there were 83,000 people in the Civilian Labor Force and now that number has dropped to nearly 79,000.
This leaves many people wondering where these 4,000 people went.
Shelly Hatley says, "They probably went somewhere bigger that's got a lot more employment opportunities."
Employment opportunities are what Hatley has been in search of for a while now.
She has been unemployed for four years and often considers packing up her bags and moving.
Hatley says employers ask for too many qualifications.
"They want degrees, college degrees. I think people just gave up. They're tired of trying and getting told no," says Hatley.
She has seen several people leave because they could no longer afford to be unemployed.
Hatley says, "I've had a couple of friends who have just up and left because they couldn't get a job."
Hatley is trying everything in her power to get a job so she can support her family.
"My husband is in school and I've got two very small kids," says Hatley.
Even though looking at the statistical date can be scary, Hatley remains optimistic.
Hatley says, "I have had my days where I've gone home and cried and then I've had my days where I've gone home with a big old smile on my face hoping that the next day will prove me wrong."
