For the second straight month, the state's unemployment rate showed improvement, declining from 11.1 percent in March to 10.8 percent in April.
New figures released from the N.C. Employment Security Commission this morning showed that non-farm employment rose by 7,500 jobs in April. Sectors that showed improvement included professional and business services and government jobs. However, other areas still struggled. The leisure and hospitality business showed a decline of 3,100 jobs, as did trade, transportation and utilities.
Still, ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes heralded the new rate as positive news.
"While overall job growth is up and the unemployment rate is slightly lower, we still face challenges in this tough economy," she said. "We will still be working — as always — with customers across the state in numerous ways to provide benefits and job search help."
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
What do these numbers really mean?
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 12:45 — techieDoes it mean that people are actually going back to work or does it mean that some people have exhausted their unemployment benefits and therefore have been dropped such as my son who has been actively looking for work for 14 months. I believe this administration can make the numbers say anything they want without there being much truth to them.
It means we have 7500 more
Sat, 05/22/2010 - 13:39 — zandeIt means we have 7500 more jobs this month than we had last month.
Tell that to my son, he has
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:51 — Frederick777Tell that to my son, he has been laid off twice in the past ten months. The company that laid him off is about to let 6000 people go. Where does anybody get the idea that things are turning around?? By the way, my son can only get seventeen weeks of unemployment, I don't expect him to find work during that time even though he has applications all over the place. What is really frustrating is that you don't get any type of reply when you submit your resume.
As the economy improves more
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:50 — zandeAs the economy improves more people tend to get back on the rolls so I am pleasantly surprised that these numbers have improved. Very good news. I know we are picking up. The stimulus helped us hire about 10 people and we have gotten enough work since to keep them busy. I am very optimistic.
You must work for ACORN
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 12:14 — fiestamomIf the "stimulus" gave you money, you're either a well connected union shop or ACORN.
neither. Construction.
Sat, 05/22/2010 - 08:13 — zandeneither. Construction.I know lots of small business owners who have gotten stim money and have been able to keep operating.
Good news
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:26 — NotLiberalThe news is indeed encouraging, and I hope we here more in the future.
Yeah, I don't trust the numbers
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:18 — readeracctI don't trust the numbers. Enough said.
Two comments
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:08 — TheLibertine1. How much of this "drop" is essentially people dropping off the unemployment rolls because they've been out of work so long?
2. Heard Quintiles just axed a bunch of people so don't get too giddy about the numbers.