Oct. 26--For the month of September, McDowell County reported a jobless rate of 14.1 percent, which is almost unchanged from the previous month.

McDowell's unemployment rate went down slightly from the 14.5 percent rate in August to 14.1 percent in September. McDowell still ranks among the top 10 counties in North Carolina with high unemployment rates. The county's rate for September is 3.7 points higher than the statewide rate of 10.4 percent.

Unemployment rates dropped in 76 counties in September, according to statistics released recently by the state's Employment Security Commission. Rates increased in 14 counties, and remained the same in 10.

The local rate for September means 2,943 McDowell workers are unemployed, out of a labor force of 20,944.

"The global and national recession continues to affect our state," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. "While 76 counties across North Carolina experienced an unemployment rate decrease, we must remember that most of these same counties remain at a high rate. We're encouraged by some recent job announcements, but we are also aware of some continued layoffs. The ESC continues to help job seekers connect with employers all across the state."

Of the surrounding counties, Rutherford reported the highest rate for September with a 14.3 percent rate. Burke had a 14.1 percent rate, the same as McDowell. Mitchell reported an 11 percent rate while Yancey reported a 10.9 percent rate. Buncombe reported a rate of 8.2 percent. Avery had the lowest rate of the surrounding counties with 7.9 percent in September.

Currituck County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in September, at 5 percent.

Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 16.5 percent. Other counties in North Carolina with the highest jobless rates for September were Edgecombe with 16.3 percent, Caldwell with 15.2 percent, Anson with 14.8 percent; Rutherford and Cleveland, both with 14.3 percent; and Cherokee with 14.2 percent. This means McDowell and Burke both had the seventh highest unemployment rate for the month of September.

In addition, Marilyn Williams, manager of the Marion office of the ESC, said she would start a new position at the Hendersonville office on Monday, Nov. 2. Her last day at the Marion office, which is located in the new Ford Miller Training Center on Baldwin Avenue, will be Friday.

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