Although our nation’s economy has been in recession over the last four years, recent signs look positive.

The Dow Jones stock index broke records in early March. The unemployment rate is down to 7.7 percent, which is the lowest it’s been since December 2008, and February car sales are 7 percent higher than February 2012. Could this be a sign that the U.S. economy is finally going to crawl out of the recession?

We caught up with Clovis residents and asked them what they thought about the economy:

Carlos Velasquez

Age: 53

Occupation: Service technician for Coca-Cola

Velasquez said high grocery prices, and high gas prices have had an adverse effect on him and his family. His reaction was positive when he learned about the low unemployment rates.

“I’m very hopeful and very excited at the same time. It’s good to see that our country is coming back.”

Clifton Ransom

Age: 38

Clifton Ransom

Occupation: Unemployed (searching for work in electronics and instrumentals)

Ransom has been out of work for a year, living on unemployment benefits.

“I think Congress has got it all screwed up. It seems to me that they’re not taking the people into consideration. I think Obama is trying to do a good job with the economy, but with the sequestration all that will cease. We’re going to feel it here in Clovis.”

Donald Goings

Age: 27

Occupation: E-cigarette vendor at Knockout Vapor

Goings lived in Germany from 2009 to 2012. He said he hasn’t really felt the recession. Now that he’s back in the states he works hard and saves his money.

“Even if the Dow Jones is at an all time high that doesn’t mean the economy is necessarily doing better, because banks are reinvesting that money, and it isn’t necessarily going to trickle down to everyday people.”

Diana Lancaster

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired

Lancaster says she doesn’t see many effects of the recession since all her friends are retired and not working.

“It (the economy) doesn’t affect us because my husband is a retired railroader, so we’re doing fine.”

Holly Mittelmark

Age: 35

Occupation:  Unemployed

Mittelmark worked in law enforcement until last spring when she was forced to quit for health reasons. Her husband is in the Air Force.

“We’re doing fine because we’re in the military. I see a lot of people who aren’t though. If my husband wasn’t in the military, I’d have a hard time finding work and supporting myself.”

Andrea Sanchez

Andrea Sanchez

Age: 30

Occupation: LPN (nurse)/student

Sanchez earned a bachelor’s in exercise science but could not get a job with her degree. She moved to Clovis and became an LPN, and finding a job has been much easier for her.

“It (the economy) stinks because it’s hard to find jobs. My nephew moved back to Clovis and it was hard for him to find work. I push young people to get into a trade like nursing where a job is guaranteed.”

Damini Shah

Damini Shah

Age: 49

Occupation: H&R Block tax services

Shah is optimistic about the economy. She was aware of the recent success the Dow Jones has had.

 “My husband works at Southwest Cheese, and I work at H&R Block, so job-wise we’re OK. I do worry about the housing market.”

Callie Bunce

Age: 21

Occupation: Pharmacy student

Bunce graduates in three years from pharmacy school. She said she’s confident she will be able to find work after graduation.

“A few years ago pharmacy students were graduating but didn’t have jobs, but now they do have jobs. Things are getting better. I’m not too worried.”

Combined