(Source: The Stanly News & Press)
By Tiffany Thompson, The Stanly News and Press, Albemarle, N.C.
Oct. 26--Stanly County was among the 76 counties from across the state that experienced a decrease in the unemployment rate in September, according to statistics released by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC).
"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."
Stanly County's unemployment rate for September was 11.9 percent, which is 0.3 percent lower the August's rate of 12.2. Albemarle's unemployment rate reflected that of the county.
Rates increased in 14 counties and remained the same in 10. Forty-five counties were at or below that state's unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.4 percent
Total county employment de-creased in September by 1,907 workers, to 4,054,662. Unemploy-ment decreased by 13,304 workers with a total of 472,429 compared with 485,733 in August.
"We are 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," Carey said.
Currituck County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in September with 5 percent, while Scotland County had the highest rate at 16.5 percent.
The five counties receiving the highest amount in unemployment insurance benefits were: Mecklenburg, $24.1 million; Wake, $18.6 million; Guilford, $11.5 million; Forsyth, $7 million; and Gaston, $6.4 million. In September, $233.8 million in benefits was paid to 204,303 individuals statewide, compared with $217.8 million to 218,257 individuals in August.
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