The financial crisis that's swept over the country has had a major impact on Long Island, with thousands losing their jobs and economists seeing no quick fix.

The credit crunch on Wall Street spilled onto Long Island's main streets in 2008, with "for rent" signs becoming ubiquitous as small businesses close their doors.

More than 21,000 Long Islanders became unemployed in 2008, driving Suffolk County's jobless rate to 6.1 percent, a 56 percent increase from the year before. In Nassau, unemployment is 5.6 percent, a 51 percent jump from 2007.

And according to Long Island Association chief economist Pearl Kamer, there could be another 35,000 Long Islanders who lose their jobs this year.

News 12 Long Island will be telling similar stories about financial hardship in our region and how to cope during our week-long "Hard Times: Long Island Survival Guide" series.

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