Jobless Rate in Patrick County goes to 7.0% in September 2008
November 10, 2008
Patrick County followed the overall state trend and realized a slight decline, from 7.2 and 679 people out of work in August to 7.0 percent and 655 people jobless in September, Mezger said.
In September 2007, Patrick’s rate was 4.4 percent and 403 people were jobless.
The unemployment rate in Martinsville increased slightly in September and remains the highest in the state.
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Chief Economist William Mezger said the increase from 12 percent unemployment in August to 12.3 percent in September represents 787 people out of work in the city.
The increase likely can be attributed to a layoff at American of Martinsville, which occurred between the Aug. 10-16 reference period and Sept. 7-13, the current statistical reference period, Mezger said.
The company announced the layoff in August and estimated it would affect 400 employees.
“In relation to other things, Martinsville’s rate really hasn’t changed all that much. It was the highest a year ago and it’s the highest now,� he said.
The city’s September 2007 rate was 9.0 percent, he added.
Henry County’s rate also was affected by the slowdown at American, Mezger said. The unemployment rate in the county increased from 8.2 percent in August and 2,170 unemployed to 8.8 percent in September and 2,393 jobless, Mezger said.
The county’s unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in September 2007, with 1,563 people out of work, he said.
As reported by the Martinsville Bulletin
