Dateline: April 24, 2008

Jobless rate falls in March 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

AUSTIN – Donley County’s unemployment rate remained constant at 4.1 percent last month, according to seasonally unadjusted information released last week by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The TWC reported the county had 74 people unemployed out of a workforce of 1,735.

One year ago Donley County had a 4.4 percent unemployment rate.

Statewide, Texas seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment grew by 13,500 jobs in March.

Texas employers now have added 213,700 jobs in the past 12 months for an annual job growth rate of 2.1 percent. After a record low of 4.1 percent in February, the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.3 percent in March, down from 4.4 percent a year ago.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent this month, up from 4.8 percent in February and 4.4 percent in March 2007.

“Our Texas economy continues to show significant underlying strength with gains of nearly 40,000 jobs during the last three months,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. “Unemployment rates remain near record lows, and our annual job growth rate remains a strong 2.1 percent, well above the U.S. job growth rate of 0.4 percent.”

“Texas employers continue to create jobs in virtually every industry sector, outpacing the nation as a whole,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman.

Education and Health Services grew by 2,200 positions in March, with 36,100 jobs added over the year.