
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103061220
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY BUSINESS EDITOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AREA JOBLESSNESS UP, BUT STILL LOW

The Roanoke area's unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in January, but remained the second-lowest among Virginia cities. Meanwhile, the state's jobless rate jumped to 5.8 percent, the highest in five years, the Virginia Employment Commission reported today.

"Roanoke is holding up about as well as any area of the state," said William Mezger, the VEC's research economist. He said the area "doesn't seem to have been touched by the recession much at all."

A few layoffs in furniture and textiles were reported, he said, but "Roanoke seems to be about as free of problems as anywhere in the state."

An increase in year-end furloughs in textiles, apparel and motor vehicle assembly added to the seasonal rise in unemployment, raising the state rate 0.9 of a percentage point and Roanoke's rate by 0.5 percentage point.

The state rate was the highest since 5.8 percent was reported in February 1986. The January level was up from 4.4 percent a year ago but it was far better than the national rate of 7 percent.

The Roanoke area's rate was the highest since 4.1 percent was reported in October.

Roanoke city's jobless rate was 4.7 percent, up from 4.2 percent in December and 4.2 percent a year ago.

Roanoke County reported a 2.9 percent unemployment rate in January, up from 2.6 percent in December and a year earlier.

Salem's rate was 3.6 percent in January, up from 2.8 percent in December and 2.5 percent a year ago.

Botetourt County's jobless rate reached 3.9 percent in January, up from 3.4 percent in the preceding month and 3.2 percent a year ago.

Mezger predicted the February jobless rate will be about 5.6 to 5.8 percent for the state. Claims for unemployment benefits are coming in at about the same level as in January, he said.

by CNB