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Area sees jobless rate increases
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| By: MATTHEW COLEMAN, DAILY LEADER News Editor |
November 04, 2005 |
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Despite higher September unemployment rates across much of Southwest Mississippi, Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice-president Cliff Brumfield said Lincoln County was faring relatively well in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
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According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Lincoln County's jobless rate climbed nine-tenths of a point to 8.1 percent.
"This moderate increase in unemployment was expected after Katrina," Brumfield said.
The recently-released jobless statistics showed Lincoln County with the lowest area rate. Statewide, the county ranked 53rd among the state's 82 counties.
Some other area counties posted increases of two percentage points or more. Amite County's rate was up 2.1 points to 9.7 percent; Pike County was up 3.1 points to 11.3 percent and the Walthall County rate climbed 4.7 points to 12.6.
Citing hurricane-related factors, Brumfield echoed state officials in saying it was no surprise to see rates increase in proximity to the Coast. The coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson all had jobless rates in the low 20 percent range.
"The devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina in the latter part of August, especially along the coastal counties, will continue to have a negative effect on the labor force conditions," said Wayne Gasson, MDES chief of labor market information.
Due to power outages, Brumfield said a number of local businesses were forced to make temporary layoffs immediately after the storm. He said recent activity should help the area rebound.
"In recent weeks, we've seen numerous advertisements from local businesses looking for help," Brumfield said. "Surely, this trend should be seen in the October report."
Brumfield said Lincoln County's diverse economy helped it adjust to the changes so the negative impact was not greater. He also cited higher sales tax collections that will also provide a positive economic boost for the community.
Regarding an economic rebound, Brumfield expressed similar optimism for other area counties.
"Our neighbors to the south are doing well and should return to normal numbers just as we will in the coming months," he said.
In other area counties, the Lawrence County total climbed seven-tenths to 8.8 percent. Copiah County's rate was up a full point to 9.2 percent.
With a two-tenths rise, Jefferson County had the smallest area increase to 15.3 percent. The county's rate, though, is traditionally among the state's highest and was surpassed in October only by Pearl River's 15.9 percent, Wilkinson County's 16.8 percent and the three coastal counties.
Franklin County was the only area county to see a rate decrease, falling 1.2 points to 7.6 percent. Its labor force totals, employed and unemployed, were down across the board for October.
MDES officials said 61 counties had jobless rates equal to or less than the state's 9.1 percent, which was up more than two points from August's 7 percent.
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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