May 24--A checklist runs through Craig Proctor's mind.

"I have to buy gas, pay the electric bill, the house payment and buy groceries," said Proctor, a former employee of Worthington Steel.

In December, Proctor joined the growing ranks of the unemployed when Worthington Industries laid off 11 employees at the Decatur plant.

For the past 13 weeks, Proctor relied on weekly unemployment compensation to cover his monthly expenses. Last Monday, he wondered whether he could make it financially through the week.

"I'm in the 14th week, the waiting week," Proctor said.

'Waiting week'

Last year the state Legislature authorized a one-week break in unemployment benefits following the 13th week of compensation.

During the "waiting week," the state stalls payments, re-establishing compensation the following week.

"How do you tell a 3-year-old who is hungry, there is no money to buy food?" asked Proctor, who is the chief caregiver for his 3-year-old grandson, Kyler. "How do you tell bill collectors you don't have the money to pay?"

Waiting an extra five days for compensation represents one of many issues facing Proctor and thousands of other individuals in Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan counties who echo his story.

Combined, the tri-county area recorded an unemployed labor force of 9,446 in March 2009, according to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

"I'm trying to find a job and will keep trying to find a job, but there are no jobs out there," said Proctor, the trained paramedic and nine-year Worthington employee. "I've gone down to interview in Mobile twice because I can't find anything around here."

Morgan County Economic Development Association President Jeremy Nails expressed optimism that expanding industries will create more jobs in the Tennessee Valley.

"I am hopeful that Nucor's galvanizing facility, the Alpha Pet resin facility and Magic Steel facility will be able to open soon and absorb some of the displaced workers," Nails said.

The absence of job openings in Decatur and North Alabama reflects the job market nationwide.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, companies posted 2.7 million job openings as of March 31, the lowest recording since the bureau began measuring the statistic eight years ago. Compared to March 2008, the number of job openings decreased by 1.4 million.

While job openings decreased, unemployment increased. The Department of Industrial Relations reported a statewide unemployment rate of 9 percent for March, continuing the yearlong upward trend.