Recently released unemployment figures provide just a bit of good news for West Virginia showing a drop by four-tenths of a percentage for September. Those slightly decreased figures are also evident in area counties.

Although area counties' unemployment figures are declining, they are still classified as average or worse than average in the state. Randolph County's unemployment decreased from 9.2 percent in August to 8.5 percent in September; Pocahontas County decreased from 12 percent to 11.3 percent; Pendleton decreased from 8.3 percent to 7.5 percent; Upshur County decreased from 9.4 percent to 8.9 percent; Lewis County decreased from 8.4 percent to 7.5 percent; Grant County decreased from 12 percent to 11.2 percent; Hardy County decreased from 10.4 percent to 9.7 percent; Barbour County decreased from 9.3 percent to 9.2 percent; and Tucker County decreased from 11.8 percent to 10.9 percent.

Ben Parker, director for research and information analysis for WorkForce West Virginia, explained the small decrease in unemployment can be attributed to state and local government hiring more people. Local government includes the school systems, which boosted its employees for the school year, he said. Approximately 1,300 jobs statewide were added to local government levels, which is classified as service providing, in September.

While service providing jobs increased, goods producing jobs decreased across the state during September, according to WorkForce West Virginia statistics. Parker said there is some positive news for goods producing employment. The Toyota manufacturing plant in Buffalo is expanding its operations and Diamond Electric may add 55 jobs because of a new contract agreement, he explained. Across West Virginia, manufacturing has taken hits to its employment numbers, however, Parker said he hopes the industry is settling and job loss will diminish.

As the holiday season approaches there will likely be an increase in service providing jobs, Parker said. By January those employment opportunities will be gone, but Parker said he remains optimistic for the spring. Based on numbers, unemployment figures should decrease, which could lead West Virginia out of an economic slump faster than the nation, Parker commented.

Workforce West Virginia reported that 19 counties had unemployment rates of 10 percent or higher last month. Monongalia County continues to have the lowest unemployment in the state, ending September with a 4.6 percent rate, which is three-tenths of a percentage point better than August's rate. Roane County has the highest unemployment rate with 13 percent.

For September, West Virginia recorded an 8.1 percent unemployment rate, which is less than the national rate of 9.8 percent.

With so many still unemployed and seeking help from the state's jobless fund, Unemployment Compensation Division Director Michael Moore said the state will pay out approximately $24 million in compensation this month.

Unless something "drastic" happens before the end of the year, Moore predicts the $153.6 million that was in the fund as of Monday should last through the end of the year or until the start of the next legislative session.

Since the time the Legislature increased the taxable wage base for unemployment compensation, only one quarter of payments have been received. Moore explained that since the time of increase an additional approximate $24 million to $25 million has been collected. Moore does not immediately correlate the extra funds to the taxable wage base. He said that after the second quarter taxes are due on Oct. 31, the Unemployment Compensation Division will have a better idea of how much money the increase is generating.

Those who are unemployed are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits, Moore said. If unemployment continues after that time, compensation is available with funds provided by the federal government.