North Carolina's unemployment rate hit its highest peak last month in more than 30 years as the recession continues to ravage the state's economy.
The statewide jobless figure reached 11.2 percent in December, representing the loss of 2,400 jobs during the month, the N.C. Employment Security Commission reported this morning. It's the highest jobless rate since the state began tracking the figure in 1976 using the current methodology.
December's jobless rate surpasses the previous month's statewide rate of 10.8 percent. The nationwide jobless rate was 10 percent for December.
Most of the state's job losses last month came in leisure and hospitality, where 2,600 jobs were shed last month. The biggest employment gains came in professional and business services, which gained 1,900 jobs.
Since the recession began in December 2007, the state has lost 248,000 jobs. During the same time, the state has paid out more than $6.5 billion in unemployment benefits to 675,300 people.
When the recession began, in December 2007, the benefits were limited to 26 weeks, but Congress has since extended the benefits to a maximum of 99 weeks.
John Murawski has been a full-time newspaper reporter since 1991, with stints at Legal Times and The Chronicle of Philanthropy (both in Washington, DC), The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Palm Beach Post (in South Florida) before arriving at the N&O in December 2004. At the N&O he covers energy (nuclear, coal, renewable, efficiency), hydralic fracturing (or "fracking"), public utilities (both electric and natural gas) and health care. His beat includes Progress Energy, PSNC Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, PowerSecure International, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Biogen Idec and others. You can reach him at 919-829-8932 or
Comments
How's that hope and change
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 23:31 — lutonmooreHow's that hope and change treating everybody? We got 11%+ over here in NE Carolina (Elizabeth City area). I can't believe North Carolina voted for this charletan.
Dont worry, the "jobs
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 17:25 — breining24Dont worry, the "jobs Governor" is on the case.
Hows that Hope & Change and
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 14:59 — PhantomLordHows that Hope & Change and Gov. Dumpling workin' for ya?
I have an idea
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 14:30 — stevemichaelsHere is an idea, how about we borrow a trillion dollars from the Chinese, hand it out to the unemployed, government agencies and a very few businesses - we can keep the bloated levels of government in tact and start making these wild accusations on the millions of jobs we "saved" - and since we are so smart no- one will actually check into these "saved jobs" - Meanwhile we can blame the continual rise in unemployment on the departed Bushies - How does this sound???? And if that doesn't work we can go back to the Chinese for a few hundred more billion and repeat step 1 -
Unemployment Rate
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 14:14 — bronco63The current administration is ignorant to economic realities... With no one from the private sector advising Obama, there is little hope for recovery in the next several years... I work in the Workforce Development field and it appears the 10% unemployment will be the new "norm." Current attitude and policies will push for Government dependence. The only way to get the economy back on track is to give people more spending power. Let the companies give out bigger bonuses, so the receivers can buy more goods and employ more people in services.
modest proposal
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 14:06 — marcedward1How about we amend our "free trade" agreements to include only those countries that protect the rights of workers, which would exclude China. American workers should not have to compete against slaves.
Industry comes before jobs
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 12:21 — SeaOwlThe unemployment rate can and will ONLY continue to increase. The engine is no longer running and the starter is broken. This country is, economically, over.
The only way to re-create JOBS is to re-build the industries that once employed people. That would take some pretty draconian, buy American made, or else, protectionist policies, that this bribe driven government would never implement.
You won't replace the Kitchen Appliance Industry, Auto Industry, Textile Industry, Furniture Industry, Steel Industry, etc., etc., etc.. making Windmills and Solar Panels.
If Obama, or anyone else in an elected office, really believes that fantasy they should be impeached for exceptional stupidity.
UNEMPLYMENT OVER 11%
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 12:16 — mrcleanUnemployment in NC is much higher.Those that have quit looking and those that have part time jobs and those that can't find jobs in their field of specialty.It is really closer to 25% when you add the numbers correctly.How does the government expect small business to grow or even begin with taxes and regulation so buredensome?And small business is the job creator in NC as well as the nation.Any idiot knows that taxes should be lowered to allow more capital to form and create hope for small business.What is the response from Obama and Perdue?Obama wants to create large government programs,raise taxes and put even tighter restrictions on banks which will soak up capital and keep the banks from lending.Perdue creates a "jobs creation commission".What a bunch of dumb politicians.