Local unemployment rates continue to decrease in the latest labor report issued by the Kansas Department of Labor.
Crawford County’s unemployment rate in October fell another full percent, down to 7.1 percent. September’s unemployment rate was 8.1 percent, and the August rate was as high as 9.3 percent.
The trend further continued regarding Crawford County’s state rank. In August, only six counties had rates equal to or higher than Crawford County. By September, 11 counties were equal or higher. The October data shows that 18 counties have rates equal to or higher than Crawford County.
Local officials said they must investigate the true cause of that drop in unemployment, noting that several factors, including whether unemployment insurance has run out for employees or whether employees are seeking jobs out of the state.
“The 7.1 figure is obviously far superior to 9.3, that’s for certain,” said Mark Turnbull, Pittsburg director of economic development. “The drop is good, but before we really get excited about that, we need to get underneath that drop and analyze what the ingredients are that make it so good. What we hope is that people are, in fact, going back to work.”
Surrounding counties also show positive improvements.
Bourbon County’s unemployment rate has been consistently dropping. In August, the rate was at 7.2 percent. By September, it had dropped to 6.5 percent. October indicators show the county further dropped by only a tenth of a percent, to 6.4 percent.
Cherokee County also shows an improvement. The county returned to its August unemployment rate of 8.2 percent. In September, Cherokee County had an 8.5 percent unemployment rate.
The state’s highest unemployment rate was Wyandotte County, with a 10.1 percent unemployment rate, the only county in the state with double-digit unemployment.
Turnbull continued to urge caution before other state indicators are released.
“We need to sit down with the people who generate those figures so we can get a clearer picture of what that represents,” Turnbull said. “The city will be very encouraged if that means people are going back to work. What we would hope is that the economy is picking up, people are getting employed and that things are getting better.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
