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Local unemployment higher than state
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CopyThe February unemployment numbers for Wharton County showed the local unemployment rate is running higher than the state average. According to figures available on the Texas Workforce Commission Web site, Wharton County had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 8.9 percent for the month. The county's workforce was 21,605 with 19,689 employed and 1,916 not working. The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 8.2 percent in February, unchanged from 8.2 percent in January 2010, and continuing to trend well below the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February of 9.7 percent. Now at more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by another 40,200 workers in February. Total nonagricultural employment in Texas decreased by 13,000 positions in February, offsetting the revised January gain of 12,600 jobs. Four industries added jobs including Professional and Business Services employment, which increased by 9,000 jobs, which is the largest monthly gain since January 2008. "The Texas unemployment rate remained at 8.2 percent for the fourth month in a row," said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. "Although this serious national recession continues to have a negative impact here in Texas, the unemployment rate appears to have stabilized." Other industries adding jobs in February included manufacturing, which added 2,900 jobs; mining and logging, which increased by 1,200 jobs and information employment, which increased by 200 jobs. "While it is encouraging to see job gains in February across several major employment sectors, our job market remains tight for those seeking new opportunities in the Lone Star State," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "TWC and the 28 workforce boards are committed to assisting Texas job seekers and connecting them with available jobs." In February, leisure and hospitality employment recorded a loss of 4,300, education and health services decreased by 3,000 jobs and financial activities employment was down by 3,200 jobs. Construction posted a loss of 4,600 jobs, and trade, transportation, and utilities also decreased by 7,700 jobs. "Although we sustained overall job losses in February, we experienced job gains in critical industries such as manufacturing and professional and business services," said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. "Texans searching for work can look to TWC for assistance at workforce centers across the state and search for jobs on WorkInTexas.com." The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted), followed by the Midland MSA with 5.8 percent, and third lowest was the Lubbock MSA and College Station-Bryan MSA, each at 6.0 percent. The highest rates in the state were found in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA, 11.8 percent; Brownsivlle-Harlin-gen, 11.3 percent and Beaumont-Port Arthur, 10.7 percent, the only three Texas MSAs in double digits. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA numbers for February was 8.5 percent with a workforce of 2.88 million with 246,000 unemployed, which was down from a January rate of 8.8 percent but nearly two percent higher that last year's rate of 6.7 percent for the same month. In the Victoria MSA, the rate was 8.3 percent with a work force of about 58,400 with some 4,900 looking for jobs. That is down a tenth from last month's 8.4 percent. The US rate for February was 10.4 percent, down two-tenths from January's 10.6 percent but still well above the February 2009 rate of 8.9 percent.
Copyright 2010 East Bernard Express, East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2010 East Bernard Express East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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