February Unemployment AND EMPLOYMENT Increases

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, has released the Unemployment Report for the period covering January 11 - February 10 (the February Unemployment Report).  The rate among Huntington County residents rose slightly to 4%, up from 3.7% during the January reporting period.

 

"The Huntington County labor force and the number of people working increased during the February reporting period," noted Mark Wickersham, executive director of the Huntington County Economic Development Corporation.  "Increases in the labor force occasionally create a statistical fluctuation based simply on the process of calculating percentages.  According to the State, 21 Huntington County residents filed initial claims for unemployment compensation in February," he said.  "It's good that more people have entered the workforce at a time when employers are hiring," he added.

 

Huntington County hosted a job fair in early March, which included over a dozen employers and job seekers.  "Numerous local employers are hiring," said Wickersham.  The job posting website, Indeed.com, reported 263 immediate job openings within 10 miles of downtown Huntington, and hundreds more within 25 miles.

 

"There are jobs available and workers available.  The challenge is to connect prospective workers with employers," Wickersham concluded.