High Country Workforce Development Board
468 New Market Boulevard
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 265-5434
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December Unemployment Rates Jump in All High Country Counties
(February 2, 2010) Unemployment rates increased in 86 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December, and all 7 High Country counties saw increases from November ranging from 0.3 percent in Avery and Wilkes counties to 1.1 percent in Mitchell County according to data released by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
In December, unemployment stood at 11.3 percent for the High Country overall, a 0.4 percent rise from November and above the state rate of 10.9 percent.
Here are the unemployment rates by county and the increase from November:
Alleghany – 12.3 (an increase of 0.8)
Ashe – 12.3 (an increase of 0.7)
Avery – 9.7 (an increase of 0.3)
Mitchell – 13.0 (an increase of 1.1)
Watauga – 7.8 (an increase of 0.4)
Wilkes – 13.4 (an increase of 0.3)
Yancey – 12.4 (an increase of 0.6)
Two additional data measures round out the picture of unemployment in the region: the size of the labor force and the number of people employed.
From November to December 2009, the total labor force (everyone of working age who is actively employed or seeking employment) in the High Country decreased by 1,401 workers. This labor force decrease reflects the number of discouraged workers who have taken themselves out of the job market. Because the denominator of unemployment rate calculation is the size of the labor force, when that number goes down, the unemployment rate is lower than it would be if the discouraged workers were still actively seeking employment.
In the same month-over-month time period, the total number of people employed in the seven High Country counties decreased by 1,666.
“Many economists believe the recession that began in December 2007 ended sometime last summer,” said High Country Workforce Director Carole Coates, “but none of us will be satisfied with the state of our economy until everyone is back at work. People must have work for the economy to function and thrive. The recent news about the closures of Martin-Marietta and BCB Trucking in Alleghany County and CompuCredit in Wilkes County underscores the lack of recovery in the High Country.
“Nevertheless, we urge our regional workers to take proactive steps to be ready for the economic turnaround when it comes,” Coates continued. “Whether it’s taking temporary work with the 2010 census, exploring entrepreneurship opportunities or going back to school to learn a new skill or earn a credential, there are steps people can take during these hard times to put themselves in a more competitive position. JobLink Career Centers in all seven counties have a wealth of resources and referrals that can help.”
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