News - Local/State

Saturday, Jul. 19, 2008

Jobless rate improves

York, Chester counties numbers are still above state average

More workers were back on the job in York County in June, but the overall jobless rate remained above the state average.

Data released Friday from state officials shows York County's unemployment rate improved to 6.4 percent in June, up from 6.7 percent in May.

In May, York County owned one of the top five fastest-growing unemployment rates in South Carolina.

Chester County also improved slightly in June, dropping to 10.8 percent unemployed from 11 percent in May. However, Chester County still ranks fifth-highest in the state, according to the S.C. Employment Security Commission. York County ranks 32 out of 46 counties.

York and Chester counties "were some of the only counties to show improvement" in June, commission spokesman Sam McClary said. "Most of the other counties were up."

The state average is 6.2 percent unemployed, above the national average of 5.5 percent.

McClary said York and Chester counties likely improved because of several manufacturing companies recalling employees that had been laid off. He said state regulations prevent him from releasing the names or circumstances of those companies.

However, manufacturing jobs statewide declined in June, with 200 workers being cut, according to a state unemployment report.

The construction industry continues to lead the charge of sectors cutting jobs, state data indicates. In June, 3,200 construction jobs in South Carolina were lost in the wake of a continued homebuilding decline. It was the eighth consecutive month construction jobs have decreased in South Carolina, McClary said. Since last year, nearly 14,000 construction jobs have been lost, according to state data.

A 3,500-job decline in government employment also was reported in June. But state officials say the overwhelming majority of those cuts were seasonal, nonteaching school employees who will be rehired after the summer break.

As the state and national economy continues to flounder, McClary said jobs in service industries are the best opportunities for unemployed workers.

"Really, the only job growth we're seeing right now is in service," he said.