As of today, the U.S. Department of Labor says there are almost 1,200 more unemployed people in Bowling Green than this time last year.

Jim Gamble spent Tuesday trying to file for temporary unemployment.

Gamble only spent 3 days off the job, but he says while standing in line at the unemployment office he noticed one thing.

"Its a madhouse because people are everywhere and its a lot of people that's out of work but yet and still a lot of them is long-term," says Gamble.

In Bowling Green the jobless rate soared from 3.8% to 5.6% percent from November 2007 to the same time in 2008.

In real math, that means in 2007 more than 3,000 Bowling Green residents are without a job right now.

"Quality Personnel" manager Sherry Baldwin says the amount of jobless in Bowling Green grew progressively during last year and seems to be on the verge of continuing this year.

"If the last couple of days are any indication, yesterday and today we've had over forty applicants come in to our office," she says.

But Baldwin's already seen a few promising signs this year.

"Yesterday and today, we had a small increase in the number of clients who have called, so we have had a little more action," she notes.

Baldwin explains the unpredictability of the economy makes it hard to gage just where the job market will sit at the close of '09, but she says the next few months will be crucial.

"I think the next month of two will tell us whats going to happen," Baldwin notes.

Bowling Green's 5.6% unemployment rate is still better than the national average... which is 6.5%.

However... its not the lowest rate in the state anymore.

Lexington's jobless rate is measured at 5.1%