Warren County’s unemployment rate spiked to 10.4 percent in July, following a rise in the state’s jobless figures.

The mark is up four-tenths of a percent from June.

Statewide, unemployment rose to 10.5 percent last month, up from a revised 9.9 percent in June. Last July, unemployment statewide and in Warren County was 8 percent. Preliminary estimates show a 9.7 percent national unemployment rate for the month, unchanged from June’s revised numbers.

Three Mississippi counties had unemployment above 20 percent during July — Jefferson, at 21 percent, Holmes, at 20.3 percent and Clay, at 20.1 percent. Rankin County had the lowest rate, at 6.5 percent, up from 5 percent a year ago.

A five-year comparison of Warren County’s unemployment rates correlates with several industrial closures and job cuts.

In July 2004, unemployment stood at 6.9 percent as auto parts assembly plants Yorozu and CalsonicKansei had opened at Ceres Research and Industrial Interplex within the previous two years. Since then, both plants have closed, citing the national economy and a falling market for the vehicles for which they made components. Employment had peaked at between 250 and 350 workers at each plant at one time.

Another plant, Simpson Dura-Vent, closed its home venting systems operation at Ceres earlier this year, citing the housing downturn. It once employed about 400 people.

Three businesses at the Port of Vicksburg have closed or will close in 2009 — Armstrong World Industries, Specialty Process Fabricators and Shell Lubricants. One business has opened at the port this year, Five Stars Lighting Ltd. Economic development efforts this year by the Warren County Port Commission and Economic Development Foundation have involved both recruits to fill open space at Ceres and regional participation in surrounding counties.

Layoffs at the end of last year and into this year cut overall labor forces at three other local employers, LeTourneau Technologies and Cooper Lighting and Ameristar Casino.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com