|
McDowell's jobless rate tops 11 percent
(The McDowell News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 6--McDowell County reported a jobless rate of 11.4 percent for November, which is more than two percentage points higher than the previous month. It also means McDowell is tied with Halifax for the fifth highest unemployment rate for the entire state.
McDowell's November rate of 11.4 percent is 3.6 points higher than the statewide unadjusted rate of 7.8 percent. It is also 6.1 points higher than the unemployment rate from a year ago. In November 2007, the county reported a 5.3 percent jobless rate, according to information from the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
But last year, McDowell saw one manufacturer after another close its doors and leave hundreds unemployed, as the nation's economy got worse. They include Cobia Boats, Swift Galey and Spectrum Dyed Yarns.
The November rate of 11.4 percent means 2,524 workers in McDowell are listed as unemployed, out of a labor force of 22,216. McDowell's rate is also higher than the surrounding counties.
Of the neighboring counties, Rutherford used to post a higher rate because it had lost so many jobs. But in November, Rutherford had a lower rate with 10.8 percent. Burke's rate was also 10.8 percent.
Mitchell had a rate of 9.1 percent for November while Yancey had 8.6 percent. Avery had a rate of 6.8 percent while Buncombe had a rate of 6 percent.
The high rate for November came as no surprise to the folks who work at the Marion office of the ESC. "We figured that is what it was going to be," said Marilyn Williams, manager of the local ESC branch. "We're right up there, unfortunately."
Naturally, the local ESC office has had to deal with a lot of people who come in filing their unemployment claims and looking for work. She said the unemployment is happening across all sectors and not just in manufacturing.
"It's kind of a domino effect," said Williams. "It's affecting everybody."
She added the state ESC has only 13 job listings for McDowell County. They include positions such as broadband technician, teacher assistant, forklift mechanic, maintenance mechanic, truck driver and correctional officer.
"I've not seen it this little in a long time," said Williams, who's worked for the state ESC for 25 years.
She added the last time McDowell reported a rate that high happened in January 2002, when the county had a rate of 13.8 percent.
Also, the staff members at the Marion ESC office are working hard trying to help all the people who come through their doors. "It's been really tough," said Williams.
All North Carolina counties experienced an increase in unemployment during November, according to the state ESC.
"Manufacturing, retail trade and services sectors have been hit hard during this national and worldwide economic slump," said ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. "Retail trade was down because many employers did not take on more workers during the holiday season as they have in the past. Also, textile and furniture manufacturing continue to struggle in the global economy."
Forty-two counties were at or below the state's unadjusted rate of 7.8 percent. Rates increased in all 14 of the state's Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
To see more of The McDowell News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mcdowellnews.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, The McDowell News, Marion, N.C.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
INDUSTRIES
Activate Email 
Find Solutions for Enterprises, SMBs & Service Providers at the INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO East, January 20-22, 2010. Miami, FL.
