State economist says unemployment rate increase "normal" for this time of year
December 17th, 2009 - 2:53am
(Port Angeles) -- A steep jump in unemployment rates for Clallam County actually fits with the seasonal trend for the area.
That's according to an economist with the state's Employment Security Department.
Unemployment increased to nine-point-eight percent last month. Up more than one full percentage point.
The state's Jim Vlemming says the region historically ticks up about that much every year at this time. He tells KONP the number of jobs in the hospitality and construction always drops beginning in October.
But Vlemming says the numbers this year become more glaring because the overall rate over the past couple of years is higher than it has been in a long time.
Vlemming says he thinks there is recovery in the local labor market, but it may take a number of months before that might be reflected in the the unemployment numbers.
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