Published: March 24, 2009 01:06 pm      

Jobless rate increases by three percent

Monticello — The local jobless rate increased nearly three percent from December to

January, according to the latest figures released by the Kentucky Office of

Employment and Training.

Wayne County's unemployment rate increased from 9.8 percent in December

to 12.6 percent in January.

The steep increase in the jobless rate is alarming to Wayne County

Judge-Executive Greg Rankin.

"It's not good," said Rankin. "But hopefully, we do have a couple of

places that will be hiring soon, and hopefully that will help us get things

turned around."

Rankin said his office plans to offer a spring job fair for local

residents, as it has for the past couple of years.

"We want to help people get matched up with jobs that are available," he

said. "We are doing everything we can. Everyday we try to help bring in

jobs."

While the increase in Wayne County is significant, it mirrors increases

in jobless rates around the Lake Cumberland area. Overall, the 10-county

area recorded an unemployment rate of 10.9 percent in January, up from 8.5

percent in December.

The highest rate in the area was 14.2 percent, which was recorded in

Cumberland County. The lowest rate in the area was 8.8 percent, which was

recorded in Taylor County.

Other Lake Cumberland area rates included: Adair County, 11.3 percent;

Casey County, 9.5 percent; Clinton County, 11 percent; Green County, 11.2

percent; McCreary County, 13.2 percent; Pulaski County, 9.9 percent; and

Russell County, 13.3 percent.

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state at 6.3

percent. Other counties with comparatively lower unemployment rates were:

Woodford County, 6.6 percent; Pike County, 7.1 percent; Knott and McCracken

counties, 7.6 percent; Calloway, Jessamine and Letcher counties, 7.7 percent

each; and Perry County, 7.8 percent.

Menifee County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 17.7

percent. It was followed by Bath County, 16.5 percent; Jackson and Trigg

counties, 15.6 percent; Powell County, 15.4 percent; and Magoffin County,

14.3 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to

measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor

force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who

are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who

have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.