In April, MeadWestvaco said there were 267 laid-off workers when the normal for that time of year is about 150, according to the local union representing workers at the consumer and office products plant in Sidney.
Educational and health services was the sector of the statewide economy that gained the most jobs from June 2007 to June 2008. Across the state, 33,400 jobs were created in these industries, according to the Department of Labor.
"That was a major job-grower over the year," Harris said.
Otsego County Economic Developer Carolyn Lewis said this could help explain why Otsego County's unemployment rate fared better than many counties.
Three of the four largest employers in the county are in the health-care or education industries.
"Our employment stays pretty consistent," Lewis said.
The State University College at Oneonta employees more than 1,100 people and A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital has about 1,000. Bassett Healthcare employs about 2,800 people, although some of these are outside the county.
These large, not-for-profit institutions are somewhat insulated from the trends affecting other parts of the national economy and have a trickle-down effect by supporting other areas of the local economy, Lewis said.
"That's one of the benefits of our economy," Lewis said. "We're seeing job growth."
Lewis said it may be too early to tell what effect broader economic trends, such as increased fuel costs, are having on the tourism and hospitality industry.
The number of those employed in the leisure industry in Otsego County -- businesses centered on eating, drinking, recreation--- showed a decline from a year ago as consumers watch their spending, Harris said.
"People have a little less money," Harris said. "Obviously, it's a tough market right now in general."
The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all people who had no employment during the reference week of any particular month, were available for work and who had made specific attempts to find employment sometime during a four-week period ending with the reference week. Those collecting unemployment benefits generally make up from 30 to 50 percent of the unemployed, according to the Department of Labor.
An extension of unemployment benefits was announced last week by the Department of Labor.
The federal government is committing $850 million in funding to allow for 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to more than 250,000 eligible New Yorkers.
Normally, those who find themselves out of work through no fault of their own can collect up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.
There are 22,000 more New Yorkers collecting unemployment benefits than there were a year ago.
People seeking work, June 2007
Delaware: 1,000 1,400
Otsego: 1,300 1,700
Chenango: 1,100 1,400
Schoharie: 800 1,000
People seeking work, June 2008
Delaware: 1,400 (+400)
Otsego: 1,700 (+400)
Chenango: 1,400 (+300)
Schoharie: 1,000 (+200)
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