Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 7, 1993 TAG: 9301070068
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ROANOKE ADDING JOBS
Although unemployment rose slightly in both Roanoke and statewide during November, Roanoke logged the highest employment growth rate of any metro area in Virginia over the year.Employment in the Roanoke area increased by 2,000 people or 1.6 percent during the yearlong period ending in November, said William F. Mezger, research economist for the Virginia Employment Commission.
From October to November, Roanoke employment was up by 1,300, with new retail jobs accounting for about half the increase. Employment growth in November was stronger than a year ago and employment statewide was up 12,800 to 2.8 million, the highest total of the year, the VEC said.
Christmas job seekers and construction cuts boosted unemployment in the Roanoke area and the state by 0.4 percent in November.
The jobless rate for Roanoke was 4.7 percent, up from 4.3 percent in October. The state rate was 5.8 percent, up from 5.4 percent.
Roanoke's employment seems to be holding about as well as any area of the state, Mezger said. November's 4.7 percent jobless rate was the third-lowest in the state, better only by 3.8 percent in Northern Virginia and 4.3 percent in Charlottesville.
The total number of people looking for work in the Roanoke area was 6,260, up from 5,730 in October. Roanoke was one of the few areas where unemployment was less than a year ago, Mezger said.
In November 1991, the VEC said, 6,590 people in the Roanoke area were seeking jobs and the unemployment rate was 5 percent.
In the state, there were decreases for the month in building materials and transportation, due to the Blue Bird school bus factory's closing in Buena Vista.
When December's rate is calculated, Mezger predicted, the state's jobless rate probably will fall by a fraction to 5.5 or 5.6 percent, based on peak retail hiring for the Christmas season.
Roanoke in November added 700 jobs in retail trade, 400 in local government, 100 in state government and 200 each in manufacturing and services. They were offset by losses of 200 in construction and 100 in finance, insurance and real estate.
New claims for jobless benefits in the Roanoke area came to 220 per week in November, down four from October. The number drawing benefits in November was 1,987, an increase of 15.
The average weekly factory pay for Roanoke was $534.57, an increase of $12.50; and the work week averaged 42.8 hours, up 0.9.
The VEC said Dickenson County had the state's highest unemployment, 15.1 percent, up from 14.5 percent in October. Bath County also had 15.1 percent, but was lower that Dickenson because of rounding, Mezger said.\ \ WESTERN VA. JOBLESS RATES\ Nov. 1992 Oct. 1992\ Bath County 15.1% 6.4%\ Bedford, Bedford County 5.3% 5.1%\ Bland County 4.1% 3.2%\ Buchanan County 12.7% 12.3%\ Carroll County 6.1% 5.9%\ Covington-Clifton Forge 8.3% 7.7%\ Craig County 6.0% 5.2%\ Franklin County 6.8% 5.3%\ Galax area 6.5% 5.6%\ Grayson County 8.1% 5.8%\ Lexington, Buena Vista 8.0% 8.1%\ Martinsville area 5.8% 5.6%\ Smyth County 9.3% 7.8%\ Tazewell County 9.7% 8.7% Washington County 6.7% 6.4%\ Wythe County 8.3% 7.2%