Jobless rate up; state better than most
U.S. at 8.5 percent unemployed, highest since '92
Amanda Berens
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Graduates next month will face a depleted workforce that many Arkansans have not seen in a long time. There just are not as many jobs as there were last year, but compared to the nation Arkansas is not doing quite so bad.
In March the Arkansas unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent, the highest since 1992 when the rate was 7.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, however, which places Arkansas for the first time in history 2 percent below the national average, Kimberly Friedman, communications director for Arkansas Workforce Services, said in a press release.
The Arkansas workforce declined by 17,100 people over the month.
Arkansas unemployment benefits have doubled in a year. The state spends 12.4 million a week in unemployment benefits for 48,000 people. A year ago the state spent $6 million a week for 25,000 people, Friedman said.
The increase in unemployment has contributed to by mass layoffs companies in the area have orchestrated in the last few months.
In a restructuring move, hundreds of northwest Arkansas Wal-Mart employees were laid off in February.
The Arkansas-Democrat Gazette announced that it was cutting 50 to 60 jobs throughout its state-wide operations.
But in March, growth occurred in six Arkansas major industry sectors, with three adding 1,300 or more jobs, according to the Department of Labor.
Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain of more than 2,900 jobs. Accommodation and food services provided most of the jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,500 jobs as retailers prepare for the outdoor season.
Government added 1,300 jobs, with a majority of the gain in state government.
Manufacturing jobs declined the most, losing 1,300 jobs.
One thing that has helped Arkansas is its diverse industry, but no part of the state is immune, Friedman said.
Fayetteville reported 2,227 people unemployed in February, but that number doesn't look as bad compared to the 3,500 people unemployed in Fort Smith where a lot of manufacturing companies are based, according to statistics from Arkansas' Labor Web site at www.discover.arkansas.gov.
In March the Arkansas unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent, the highest since 1992 when the rate was 7.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, however, which places Arkansas for the first time in history 2 percent below the national average, Kimberly Friedman, communications director for Arkansas Workforce Services, said in a press release.
The Arkansas workforce declined by 17,100 people over the month.
Arkansas unemployment benefits have doubled in a year. The state spends 12.4 million a week in unemployment benefits for 48,000 people. A year ago the state spent $6 million a week for 25,000 people, Friedman said.
The increase in unemployment has contributed to by mass layoffs companies in the area have orchestrated in the last few months.
In a restructuring move, hundreds of northwest Arkansas Wal-Mart employees were laid off in February.
The Arkansas-Democrat Gazette announced that it was cutting 50 to 60 jobs throughout its state-wide operations.
But in March, growth occurred in six Arkansas major industry sectors, with three adding 1,300 or more jobs, according to the Department of Labor.
Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain of more than 2,900 jobs. Accommodation and food services provided most of the jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,500 jobs as retailers prepare for the outdoor season.
Government added 1,300 jobs, with a majority of the gain in state government.
Manufacturing jobs declined the most, losing 1,300 jobs.
One thing that has helped Arkansas is its diverse industry, but no part of the state is immune, Friedman said.
Fayetteville reported 2,227 people unemployed in February, but that number doesn't look as bad compared to the 3,500 people unemployed in Fort Smith where a lot of manufacturing companies are based, according to statistics from Arkansas' Labor Web site at www.discover.arkansas.gov.
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