Unemployment, slow job growth rising in South

Jul 26, 2011

Some of the highest unemployment levels may now be found in the South — and what’s worse is that these numbers are still rising in the South – with increases being found from Kentucky to Florida.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, both Florida and South Carolina had an unemployment rate over 10.5 percent in June 2011, followed by Mississippi at 10.3 percent and North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama at 9.9 percent.

Other Southern state rates are as follows:

Tennessee: 9.8

Kentucky: 9.6

West Virginia: 8.5

Arkansas: 8.1

Louisiana: 7.8

Virginia: 6.0

Alabama

Last month, Alabama saw a jump in unemployment to 9.9 — even though over 33,000 jobs have been created in the state since the beginning of the year. One major contributor to joblessness in Alabama is the state’s still-recovering manufacturing and construction sectors, as they are still recovering from the recession. Both sectors provided employment for less than 20 percent of the population, but accounts for 33 percent of unemployment in the state.

The state is currently ranked 38th in job creation.

Florida

With one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation, Florida is having a hard time maintaining the balance between job creation and demand even during its peak seasonal months. The state, which has a labor force of at least 9,234,000 individuals, is currently combating the long-standing unemployment crisis that directly affect 982,000 Florida residents.

Among the highest increases in unemployment, South Florida has taken one of the heaviest hits with the Miami-Dade area’s jump to 13.9 percent — leaving 182,279 people without a job.

Other counties, such as Broward County, have seen significant increases as well up to 9.5 percent.

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As unemployment rates continue to rise, the Center for a Better South calls upon our elected officials and community leaders to come together and work to combat the issues that arise during times of great financial crisis by focusing on maintaining existing opportunities and championing ideas and legislation that will nurture economic development and educational opportunities — all things outlined within our Agenda for a Better South.

State Struggles With Unemployment Figures

Alabama Ranks 38th for Job Creation

South Florida Unemployment Rises Again

Kentucky News Review: 2010 unemployment rate for Kentucky among the highest in U.S.