Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991 TAG: 9104030047
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY/ BUSINESS EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In the Roanoke area, the jobless rate jumped from 3.9 percent to 4.9 percent in February, the highest since it reached the same level in November 1986. But the Virginia Employment Commission, in reporting the numbers Tuesday, said Roanoke "has weathered the downturn about as well as any area in the state."
Virginia's statewide jobless rate increased from 5.9 percent in January to 6.5 percent in February, the highest since March 1983.
More than two-thirds of the counties west of Charlottesville recorded unemployment of 10 percent or higher, according to a VEC map.
Patrick and Washington counties, both reporting 6.8 percent, were the only areas west of Roanoke with unemployment of less than 8 percent in February, the VEC said. Patrick's rate was up from 6.2 percent and Washington County's from 6.5 percent.
Roanoke and Lynchburg tied for second lowest among the state's major cities with 4.9 percent unemployment, while Northern Virginia was the lowest with 3.6 percent.
Montgomery County had 9.3 percent, up from 8.3 percent; neighboring New River Valley counties all had rates above 10 percent.
Roanoke's unemployed roll increased by 1,270 people from January to February, primarily as a result of cutbacks in textiles and retailing, said William Mezger, VEC research economist. Stores normally reduce employment in February, he added.
Roanoke's construction employment remained at its January level of 7,000 jobs, but that was 400 below a year ago.
Mezger said he expects March unemployment will continue at about the same level as February. Although the mood of the nation has improved since the Persian Gulf War ended and consumer confidence and other economic indicators have risen, he expects unemployment will not subside for another eight to 10 weeks.
"By April [figures], we may see a little improvement." he said.
The February jobless rate for Roanoke was 5.9 percent, up from 4.7 percent in January. Roanoke County registered 3.5 percent, up from 2.9 percent; Salem 4.7 percent, up from 3.7 percent, and Botetourt County 5.4 percent, up from 4.1 percent.
Roanoke area employment dropped by 1,000 for the month, mainly from seasonal retail cuts and a one-week shutdown at the Roanoke plant of Tultex Corp., a Martinsville sweat-suit maker.
Employment in the state fell by 9,900 to 2.8 million, mainly in jobs lost in trade, construction, transportation and finance. Hiring increased in government and services. Mezger said employment in personal services, such as beauty parlors and barbershops, usually drops in a recession, but that hasn't happened.
Unemployment increased in most all Western Virginia counties and cities in February. The exceptions were Bedford city and county, where the rate was 5.5 percent, down from 5.7 percent in January; Buena Vista-Rockbridge County, 7.3 percent, down from 7.4 percent, and Bath County, 19.8 percent, down from 24.8 percent.
Higher rates reported for other areas: Radford, 10.7 percent, up from 10 percent; Covington-Alleghany County, 11.1 percent, up from 10.5 percent; Galax, 15.1 percent, up from 9.4 percent, and Martinsvile, 12.9 percent, up from 9.7 percent. Mezger said Martinsville had one of the highest jobless benefit claims levels in the state in February.
Rates for other Western Virginia counties in February: Bland, 8.4 percent, up from 6.3 percent; Buchanan, 12.1 percent, up from 11 percent; Carroll, 15.1 percent, up from 9 percent; Craig, 10.7 percent, up from 8.6 percent; Floyd, 10.6 percent, up from 9.8 percent; Franklin, 12.2 percent, up from 9.3 percent.
Grayson, 15.5 percent, up from 10.9 percent; Henry, 12.9 percent, up from 9.3 percent; Highland, 15 percent, up from 13.4 percent; Pulaski, 12.7 percent, up from 12.1 percent; Smyth, 11.6 percent, up from 9.7 percent; Tazewell, 10 percent, up from 9.5 percent; and Wythe, 11.9 percent, up from 9.5 percent.
by CNB