To put this loss in perspective, the state added more than 400,000 private-sector jobs between the July 2003 end of the last recession in the state and the most recent peak in August 2008, the Labor Department said. In the last four months of 2008, more than 25 percent of these job gains were eliminated.

"These numbers clearly demonstrate what we already know: New York is at the epicenter of this global economic crisis, and the worst is yet to come," Gov. David Paterson said in a media release. "There is simply no way to know the full extent of the damage this crisis will have on the financial industry. We need to act now by making fundamental changes to the way our state government spends money while also using those resources at our disposal to help the unemployed during their time of need."

State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced a series of measures taken Thursday to help unemployed New Yorkers. These measures include expanded hours at One-Stop Career Centers across the state and career-preparation workshops preceding Labor Department-sponsored job fairs.

In the area, the number of manufacturing jobs has declined. Last year, Amphenol and MeadWestvaco, both in Sidney, Delaware County, reported layoffs.

About 50 area businesses attended a job fair in Oneonta last month, but job-seekers complained that "no one was hiring," Robinson said.

Price said there were more job-seekers than available openings at the fair, a situation rippling throughout the state.

The local fair did result in a few hirings, Price said, and company officials indicated they were happy with candidates who could be considered for openings when the economy improves.

With shrinkage in the manufacturing sector, workers cannot limit themselves to similar types of employment, Price said. Job-seekers must review and expand their set of skills to increase their options, he said, and that's where the One-Stop Career Centers can help.

Price said traffic has been higher at the centers and represented a broader range of employees, from low-income to blue- and white-collar workers.

Robinson said Albany lawmakers must do more to provide a favorable business environment. Increases taxes and fees imposed by lawmakers in Albany siphon money, he said, that small business could use to pay employees or invent into their operations.

Oneonta Mayor John Nader said the unemployment rates show that economic troubles have had perhaps a greater impact upstate than in the New York City financial center. Nothing is on the horizon to turn the economy around, he said, though he is "cautiously optimistic" that federal stimulus funding could help.

The unemployment data "are very disturbing," said Nader, a dean at the State University College of Technology at Delhi. "I really hope this will lead to state and federal lawmakers to expedite and increase stimulus funding for the upstate economy."

The area economy is sheltered somewhat because major employees include colleges and health-care providers, Nader said. The city continues to field inquiries from businesses about small commercial retail spaces.

Two representatives from the Empire State Development Corp. toured downtown Thursday, he said, and the city will continue to work with small businesses to circulate revolving loan money and other projects.

Glenn Nealis, economic developer for Delaware County, said the economy is in a bad situation, but he is trying to look at the glass as half-full.

Nealis said his office has fielded more inquiries in February and March about starting a business or expansions than during the same period last year. As little activity preceded the current economic condition, he said, perhaps the increase in inquiries this year will be the start of a turnaround.

"Hopefully, it's the beginning," Nealis said.

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