Dateline: June 1, 2006

Local jobless numbers fall slightly in April

AUSTIN – Donley County’s unemployment rate dropped again in April, according to information released by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The seasonally non-adjusted data shows 1,737 employed out of a workforce of 1,814, putting the local unemployment rate at 4.2 percent.  That’s down from 4.7 percent in March when 1,683 people were employed out of a work force of 1,766.

The actual number of people looking for work fell from 83 in March to 77 in April.

Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas increased by 4,400 jobs in April and a total of 244,400 jobs over the last 12 months.

Texas employers now have added jobs for 32 of the last 33 months, for a total of 584,400 jobs since July 2003. April’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1 percent is up slightly from March but down from 5.3 percent in April 2005.

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

“The Texas labor market is still doing well, with the addition of jobs over the month and over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “Over-the-year job growth remains broad based, with the addition of jobs in 10 of 11 major industries.”

Total Nonagricultural Employment grew for the 19th consecutive month. All industry groups in the Goods-Producing Sector added jobs while increases and decreases in the Service-Providing Sector offset one another. Annual growth for Total Nonagricultural employment in Texas remained strong at 2.5 percent.

“Business activity remains strong, as Texas employers are experiencing growth in virtually every major industry and every area of the state,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “Annual job growth rates in Professional & Business Services, Financial Activities, and Education & Health Services remain particularly strong over the last twelve months.”

“I am particularly pleased to note that over the last 12 months, 225,100 more Texans have found work,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “While we still have a lot to do, the economic picture continues to improve across the state as more and more workers find employment.”

Initial claims for unemployment compensation in April 2006 were 48,632, down 26.2 percent from April 2005.