Jan. 31--The job market still looks grim for the region as unemployment rates continue to climb to levels not seen in decades.

Lenoir County's unemployment rate in December reached 9.6 percent, the highest rate since January 2002, when the rate hit 9.7 percent.

The Employment Security Commission of North Carolina released the latest unemployment rates for the state's 100 counties on Friday.

Like Lenoir County, unemployment rates increased in 97 counties statewide. Greene County's rate didn't increase though, holding at 7.7 percent during December.

Jones County's rate, though, did increase to 8.3 percent.

"Every corner of North Carolina is feeling the effects of our national economy," ESC chairman Moses Carey Jr. said. "Layoffs and cutbacks have taken a toll on many of our sectors, including retail during the holiday season."

The Employment Security Commission in Kinston has seen the number of unemployment claims filed during the past year increase substantially.

Lenoir County ESC executive director Beverly Alston said Friday that laid-off workers in the region are more frustrated with the economic climate.

In December, 476 people filed unemployment claims at the Lenoir County ESC office in Kinston. Alston said she believes the number of claims filed in January was more than December.

In December 2007, 173 people filed unemployment claims at the Kinston office. Alston said she doesn't expect that the economy will rebound until late 2009.

Unemployed workers are angry and depressed about their current status, Alston said. Nearly 20 people filled Kinston's ESC office waiting area to ask about employment opportunities Friday afternoon.

Last week, the N.C. ESC Web page crashed because of the high volume of customers looking for employment through job link opportunities. The online crash impacted Kinston customers as well.

Alston said her office is able to easily process claims at the office. Unemployment claim workshop sessions are held up to three times per day now in Kinston, she said.

Officials from Lenoir Community College, Lenoir County ESC and Lenoir County Department of Social Services met with several Gilbarco employees Thursday to discuss how they can best handle their layoffs.

The Greensboro-based corporation announced in January it was closing its plant in Kinston. Gilbarco manufactures fuel dispensers.

Alston said the plant is still scheduled to close in February and the employees have about another week of work at the Kinston facility.

"It's part of our Rapid Response program," Alston said.