Joblessness up locally, down in state

Published 11:27 am Thursday, January 26, 2012

Warren County’s jobless rate climbed slightly in December while the statewide figure dropped, according to Mississippi Department of Employment Security totals released Wednesday.

The local rate was 11.1 percent for the month, up from a revised 10.9 percent in November. Mississippi’s rate was 9.9 percent, up two-tenths from November. Adjusted for seasonal factors in the workplace, the state’s rate was 10.4 percent, down a tenth. The rate was 9.8 percent in December 2010. Nationally, the unadjusted rate for December was 8.3 percent, up a tenth.

Labor force totals shrank in December, to 18,640 from 18,710. The number of unemployed was 2,320 for the month, up from 2,280. Statewide, the number of people listed unemployed rose to 133,300 after two months of fewer unemployed. It was 129,800 in November. Most job growth came in the trade, transportation and utilities and manufacturing sectors.

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In Vicksburg, the arrivals of two national chains were announced this month. A Chick-Fil-A restaurant is expected to open next to the Halls Ferry Station strip mall behind Walgreens by early next year. Clothing retailer T.J. Maxx has leased space in the former Kroger store on Pemberton Square Boulevard and could open in May, according to lead developers.

Rankin and Clay counties registered the state’s lowest and highest respective jobless rates in December. Rankin was at 6.2 percent, down from a revised 6.1 percent last month. Clay was at 19.1 percent, up from a revised 18.7 percent.

Claiborne, Sharkey and Issaquena counties’ jobless rates all rose in December. Claiborne’s rose to 15.9 percent, up four-tenths from November. Sharkey’s was 13.2 percent, up from a revised 10.8. Issaquena’s jumped to 12.2 percent, from 10.3 percent.