November 04, 2009
What's Inside:
Recovery seen in jobless numbers
Unemployment in St. Joseph improves to 7 percent
Unemployment in St. Joseph improves to 7 percent
The unemployment rate in St. Joseph dropped in April for the first time in 2009, indicating that early signs of economic recovery may begin to be felt in the labor market.
Preliminary government data released Wednesday show the jobless rate in St. Joseph was 7 percent in April, a surprising 1.5 percent improvement from March when the jobless rate hit its highest in nearly 15 years.
The Labor Department says there were 4,820 people out of work in April, compared with 5,762 people without jobs in March. The number of people in the St. Joseph work force also increased by 2.2 percent in April to 63,558 workers.
The government figures are preliminary. They were released Wednesday before a mandatory adjustment to account for seasonal employment.
Despite that, the news presents a brightening unemployment picture in St. Joseph when the city recorded its highest unemployment rate since 1995 in March when the jobless rate hit 8.5 percent.
“It appears that recovery is already well under way,” said Ted Allison, president of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. “The pieces are falling into place and, at least in this region, it looks like employers, large and small, are starting to put some people to work.”
The 1.5 percent unemployment dip in St. Joseph outpaced job market improvements in Missouri and the nation, which decreased .6 percent and .4 respectively in April.
Mr. Allison attributes St. Joseph’s better trend to a diverse manufacturing base that includes animal life sciences and agriculture businesses not subject to wild cyclical swings, a rebounding consumer confidence and the effects of stimulus dollars.
Businesses are also weaning off a conservative approach toward hiring that has been commonplace in the recession.
“So now we’re seeing what looks like to me a greater confidence and the worst of this is behind us,” Mr. Allison said.
Ahmad Safi can be reached at ahmadsafi@npgco.com.
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I've noticed a trend in reporting statistics lately. More and more unadjusted month-over-month figures are used instead of year-over-year data. I do understand that it is important to look for positive signs and report them ASAP. I also sincerely believe that change/improvement is coming.
Total non-farm employment for the St. Joseph Mo-Kan Metropolitan Statistical Area for March 2009 showed an increase of 200 jobs over February 2009. The change from March 2008 was a decrease of 1,400 jobs. By way of comparison, from February 2008 to March 2008 (month over month) employment increased 200, the exact same number as between Feb 09 and Mar 09.
The year-over-year change is by far the most applicable and unadjusted preliminary data is by far the least reliable.
I am willing to bet that Ted Allison didn’t take into account all of people that have ran out of their unemployment benefits. A few friends that worked at Snorkel and Varco have yet to find a job and they are no longer drawing benefits. The high unemployment is still here and will be around for a lot longer.
Exactly I do not think that they took into account the people who benefits ran out and are not reporting or claiming unemployment benefits any longer.They need to track the peoples who benefits have ran out and I think they will find the rate alot higher.And if there are jobs opening up they are seasonal jobs and not long term manufacturing jobs and will end when the fall and winter arrive.St Joseph needs to bring in new manufacturing opportunities with all of this green being pushed threw the stimulus bill.The people who say the economy is showing signs of turning around I think they just want people to feel good but for those of us who have been thru plant closings and have not been able to find work for over 6 months we tell them they are crazy and show us the jobs.
Grasping at straws is more like it. Employment is typically the last thing to improve as the economy moves from contraction to expansion.
Jobs - good jobs?
Where, I've been looking since January.
And I never drew any unemployment money, I could, but you know, I've got something even better, and it's working.
It's called "faith" and the Lord has been providing, truly a blessing.
Still, it's hard on me not having a real job, but I know one will come at the right time -
I just hope it is a good job I like.
Imagine that.....