Jobless claims rise
By BEN SIMMONS Staff WriterUnemployment claims are up in a majority of counties across West Virginia and seven area counties are following that trend. According to the latest Workforce West Virginia report, unemployment increased last month in 35 of the state's 55 counties.
Numbers released Friday show that Monongalia County recorded the state's lowest rate in August with 5 percent. McDowell County had the highest with 14.1 percent. Across the state, 20 counties recorded double digit unemployment.
Locally, Randolph County reported an increase in unemployment from 8.7 percent in July to 9.2 percent in August; Upshur County increased from 8.8 percent to 9.4 percent; Pocahontas County increased from 11.1 percent to 12 percent; Pendleton County increased from 7.5 percent to 8.3 percent; Lewis County increased from 7.4 percent to 8.4 percent; Hardy County increased from 10.1 percent to 10.4 percent; and Grant County increased from 11.1 to 12 percent.
Both Tucker and Barbour counties reported slight decreases in unemployment. Tucker County decreased from 11.9 percent in July to 11.8 percent in August and Barbour County declined from 9.7 percent to 9.3 percent.
Service providing and good producing jobs remained relatively stable for the area with little or no change in Barbour, Grant, Hardy, Lewis, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Tucker and Upshur counties. However, Randolph County showed a significant decline from 10,140 service providing jobs in July to 10,110 jobs in August, and a slight increase in goods producing jobs, up from 2,140 jobs in July to 2,150 jobs in August.
Last month, the state's overall unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent.
To help offset some of the unemployment benefit costs, West Virginia will receive more than $11 million in federal stimulus money.
According to an Associated Press report, Gov. Joe Manchin said the money from the U.S. Department of Labor will help offset unemployment benefit costs for small and large employers across the state.
According to The Associated Press, to receive a share of $7 billion available through unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds, states must include certain eligibility provisions in their unemployment programs.
West Virginia qualified by allowing workers to use their most recent earnings when applying for benefits.
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audyhaze
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09-19-09 8:36 AM
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Locally, Randolph an increase in unemployment from 8.7 percent in July to 9.2 percent in August;Randolph showed a significant decline from 10,140 service providing jobs. But the County Assessor says the County is doing great, people are buying land, selling realestate and buyers are there cash in hand. Hockey Puck!! Friends, Romans & Countrymen please read between the lines here! The County has stuck a siphon into us and will not stop sucking us dry until we are forced to leave or lose our farms, home and then they come in and take it for tax's. As things get worse for us, its getting better for the county for they can simply raise the tax's to cover any shortfalls upon our backs. It would be interesting to see if anyone in the assessor's office received the tax increases like we received?? Or any of the County Commissioners?? It is rumor they actually got a lower assessment?? Wonder if this is true?? In my opinion, I think we should kick the whole bunch out and put in new.
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