Help could be on the way.

Many local, state and federal officials are optimistic the new year will bring relief to communities and states suffering under the yearlong recession.

"The senator is very hopeful that there will be help coming to Ohio," said Meghan Dubyak, press secretary for Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who wants an economic stimulus bill to specifically target states like Ohio with unemployment and foreclosure rates above the national average.

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