Unemployment rates go up in area counties
By Walt Frank, wfrank@altoonamirror.comThe unemployment rate in August increased in Blair and four other area counties but remained the same in neighboring Bedford County.
Blair County's unemployment rate rose from 7.4 percent to 7.5 percent, the state Department of Labor and Industry said.
The labor force fell to 63,000 in August, primarily because of resident employment, which experienced its largest monthly decline since May 2000.
The Blair County rate is below both the Pennsylvania rate of 8.6 percent and the U.S. rate of 9.7 percent.
Bedford County was the only area county which did not see an increase in its jobless rate. However, the county's 11.3 percent unemployment rate for both July and August is well above the 7.7 percent rate of a year ago.
Bette Slayton, president of the Bedford County Development Association, said it is good news not to see an increase in the unemployment rate.
"We compliment a number of our local companies who have instituted flexible work schedules to maintain current levels of employment and thereby retain their valued employees," Slayton said. "Some of our companies are now adding new employees, often a few folks at a time."
"There was nothing in particular that stood out, but they did add about 100 jobs in manufacturing. They could have been new jobs or people recalled that had been laid off," said Lauren Nimal, a DLI industry and business analyst.
The unemployment rate in Centre County increased from 5.8 percent to 5.9 percent but remains the state's lowest rate for the 10th consecutive month. Centre is the only county to have an unemployment rate under 6 percent throughout 2009.
Cameron County, at 17.7 percent, has the highest rate of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
The unemployment rate in Cambria County rose from 9 percent in July to 9.1 percent in August. The rate has increased 2.6 percentage points during the last 12 months.
For the fifth consecutive month, Cambria County was above the Pennsylvania rate and below the national rate. The labor force dropped 800 to 68,100, the largest over-the-month drop since January 2002.
Elsewhere in the past month, Clearfield County's rate increased from 10.6 percent to 10.8 percent and Huntingdon County's rate increased from 11.2 percent to 11.5 percent.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
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theadvocate
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09-30-09 6:14 PM
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Raz, the President did not to my knowledge say that unemployment stopped rising in Blair county. He look at a little larger number, you foolish soul. I happen to own a retail business and can tell you that sales, and customer traffic are up significanly over last year and even last month. I do not sell seasonal items. How do you form your opinions? Based solely on whether or not you like the President I suspect? Charlie boy, your disrespect for the President is something I hope never gets taught in our schools regardless of who is President. You are a shameful example to todays children and you attack those who you disagree with
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CharlieVarrick
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09-30-09 9:30 AM
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Wow, another trip around the world for the whole group again; even Oprah got in on this one. Wouldn't you like to see the seat in the Oval Office warm for a 'change'? Of course Mayor Daley union mobsters doing all the work I guess employment would increase. Where are all the greenie weenies complaining about the huge carbon footprint this would leave in Chicago? So you wanted change...well right now if you're looking for any change it's most likely in Denmark.
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CharlieVarrick
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09-30-09 9:24 AM
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Whatever you do, don't tell obama about the rise in unemployment right now. He's busy in Denmark trying to bring the Olympic games to Chicago. That's more important. Never mind in recent years when cities have hosted the Olympics, the vast majority of them are still trying to pay off their debts from years ago. That's why some Chicagoan's formed a committee to get the games for Rio De Janiero. Who cares about jobs anyhow, the Olympics should take priority over everything including health care.
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RazMnaz
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09-29-09 10:30 PM
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How is it possible can the unemployment rise?? The almighty media said the recession is over! Almighty Obama said that unemployment has stopped rising! What gives here?
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