Monday, September 14, 2009

Unemployment rises to 8.6 percent in West Virginia in August

    CHARLESTON — West Virginia’s unemployment rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent in August, WorkForce West Virginia reported today. The number of unemployed state residents rose 900 to 68,600. Total unemployment was up 35,900 over the year. 

    Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 3,600, with gains of 1,700 in the goods-producing sector and 1,900 in the service-providing sector. Within the goods-producing sector, employment gains included 1,100 in manufacturing, 400 in construction, and 200 in mining and logging. The service-providing sector contained gains of 1,000 in educational and health services, 1,000 in government, and 600 in trade, transportation, and utilities. Declines included 300 in other services, 200 in professional and business services, and 200 in information. Employment in both financial activities and leisure and hospitality was unchanged over the month. 

    Since August 2008, total nonfarm payroll employment has fallen 25,200, with losses of 13,800 in the goods-producing sector and 11,400 in the service-providing sector. Educational and health services was the only major sector to experience gains, adding 1,500 jobs. 

    Employment declines included 6,000 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 5,500 in manufacturing, 4,200 in mining and logging, 4,100 in construction, 2,400 in leisure and hospitality, 1,500 in financial activities, 1,300 in professional and business services, 900 in information, 500 in other services, and 300 in government. 

    West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched upward one-tenth of a percentage point to 9.0, while the national rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point to 9.7 percent. 

    For more information visit www.workforcewv.org .


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