Dateline: April 27, 2006

Jobless claims fall

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Jobless claims in Donley County fell slightly in February and March bringing the local unemployment rate to 4.9, then 4.7 percent, which is down from 5.0 percent in January.

The seasonally non-adjusted data for March from the Texas Workforce Commission shows 1,683 people employed locally out of a potential work force of 1,766.

The number of people out of work in Donley County fell from 92 in January to 86 in February and to 83 in March, but the size of the workforce also shrank by 61 people in February and by five people in March.

The local unemployment rate is now slightly below the statewide rate of 5.0 percent.

Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas increased by 23,200 jobs in March and a total of 279,400 jobs over the last 12 months. The annual growth rate for total nonagricultural employment has remained positive for the past two years and stands at 2.9 percent.

Decreasing unemployment rates over the year were widespread, with nearly all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Texas experiencing a decline from March 2005 through March 2006.

“Job growth continues to signal the health of the Texas labor market, as all major industries have added jobs over the last year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “Texas employers have now added jobs for 31of the last 32 months and a total of 580,000 jobs since July 2003.”

Total Nonagricultural Employment in Texas experienced significant growth in March 2006. Annual growth remained constant at 2.9 percent. Job gains were equally spread throughout the industry groups, with only minimal decreases seen in Manufacturing, Leisure & Hospitality, and Other Services. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities led the way, with a gain of 5,200, followed by Professional & Business Services adding 4,700.

“Employment in Texas stands at an all-time high, 9,923,700 jobs, and is growing at a healthy rate of 2.9 percent,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “Sustained job growth speaks well for Texas employers and the Texas economy.”

Employment in Construction gained 3,900 jobs in March, signifying 10 consecutive months of job growth. As a result, the annual growth rate edged upward to 5.8 percent, representing a gain of 32,100 jobs since March 2005.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities employment expanded for the third consecutive month, with a gain of 5,200 jobs in March 2006. Larger than usual gains throughout 2005 and 2006 contributed to an annual growth rate of 2.7 percent for March 2006.

“Employment is up, unemployment is down, and that’s good news for Texas workers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “More than 14,000 Texans found jobs last month, and well over a quarter of a million have found work since March 2005.”

Initial claims for unemployment compensation in March were 54,012, down 22.9 percent from March 2005 and 33.0 percent since March 2004.