(Source: The Bellingham Herald, Wash.)
By Dave Gallagher, The Bellingham Herald, Wash.
April 21--The latest unemployment report has a mixed bag of news for Whatcom County.
Last month the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, up from a February revised rate of 9.3 percent, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. Although the unemployment rate is higher, non-farm job growth is taking place, with this area adding 600 jobs between February and March.
While the month-to-month numbers appear to be at odds, the overall longer-term picture suggests a bottoming-out is taking place when it comes to unemployment, said Reinhold Groepler, a regional labor economist for the state. Unless there's an unforeseen shock to the economy, Groepler expects to see slow, steady improvement in the local labor market.
"It takes a long time to heal from what (this economy) has been through," Groepler said.
Last month 10,120 people were actively seeking work locally, an increase of 370 people from February.
As more people were seeking work, some were landing jobs in a variety of sectors: Construction was up 100 jobs last month, as were the retail, professional services and leisure and hospitality sectors. No major industry sector posted a month-to-month decline locally, according to the report.
Year over year is a different story: While the unemployment rate was higher in March 2010 at 9.9 percent, the area also had 400 more non-farm jobs than last month. Construction was down 300 jobs year over year, while manufacturing was up 300 jobs for the same period.
The unemployment rate, not seasonably adjusted remains higher in many nearby counties. Skagit's rate was 11.5 percent in March, while Snohomish was 10.1 percent.
Washington state's rate was 9.7 percent last month, while the U.S. rate was 9.2 percent. Including the number of discouraged workers not actively seeking employment, the U.S. unemployment rate was estimated at 16.2 percent in March, down from 16.7 percent in February.
Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269. Visit his business blog online at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamHeraldBiz.
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