We’re not first on this list and we should be thankful.

Tuesday, April 24, 2001

We’re not first on this list and we should be thankful.

The unemployment figures for March are in from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Lawrence County holds a 5.3 percent unemployment rate.

Although the county’s rate wasn’t the highest, the county ranked well above the national and state average. The statewide rate for March was 3.5 percent and the U.S. adjusted rate was 4.3 percent.

Morgan County recorded the highest unemployment rate, 14.9 percent, and Delaware County boasted the lowest figures showing 1.6 percent of that county’s residents unemployed.

Bill Jett, the services coordinator of Workforce Development, said the numbers may not show an actual accounting of unemployed county residents.

He said he was "surprised" the figures weren’t higher for the county. He added there were some questions to whether the numbers from the state were completely accurate.

Jett explained that unemployment can be difficult to track because once unemployment benefits expire, those receiving unemployment monies are difficult to account for.

Jett added other factors should be considered when accounting unemployment in the county. He said Lawrence County is largely a "bedroom community." He said many county residents work in Kentucky or West Virginia.