The state's jobless rate dipped slightly in August to 10.8 percent.
The latest jobless data was released this morning by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
The state's jobless rate remains well above the national average of 9.7 percent in August.
Most economists predict unemployment will continue to rise into next year, even as the economy shows signs of healing. The jobless rate is typically a lagging indicator: Many employers won't start hiring again until they're certain their business is improving.
And many Tar Heel workers still face tough times. Companies from Caterpillar to Nortel Networks plan to cut more jobs in coming months as they retool.
Just this week, ConAgra announced it would lay off more than 300 at its Slim Jim plant in Garner, and Hanesbrands reported it would close a yarn factory in Sanford and eliminate 150 jobs.
Still, there are some local companies looking to hire. Affiliated Computer Services is adding hundreds for a Raleigh call center, for example. And retailers such as Trader Joe's are hiring for new stores.
Retail reporter Sue Stock came to the N&O in 2004 and has been covering retail and shopping in the Triangle since then. She is the author of the popular
Comments
Estimates at odds
Fri, 09/18/2009 - 17:24 — blogsniffianCalculating methods used by N.C. ESC and U.S. Labor Department differ, as I recall, and both can vary greatly from actual rates of employment (or unemployment). Both are roughly as reliable as the consumer price index, which lends little confidence to reflections of facts. From time to time there have been suggestions that the ESC tabulation could be eliminated without any great loss to anyone except those who produce and disseminate it.
Quick Bev
Fri, 09/18/2009 - 15:13 — stevemichaelsThere is only minutes left before Bev or Biden can claim how their leadership has caused the drop in unemployment! But maybe its like the previous post - people are just running out of benefits or maybe there is more and more people having to leave the area in search for work. Hey wasn't the stimulus supposed to keep unemployment under 9%?
I doubt that !
Fri, 09/18/2009 - 13:07 — UnaffiliatedPatriotI doubt seriously that the unemployment rate has dropped anywhere. What's changed is that fewer are receiving unemployment checks because benefits have run out for a lot of unemployed and that too will create another problem. On top of that, Acorn will be laying off people since the government trough is drying up for them, and Van Jones is back on the streets... so you can look for robberies and muggings to increase. Change...she be keepin' on coming.