Yuma County (Arizona) unemployment rate hits 22.5 percent for February

[Pale Blue Dot]

Source: Yuma Sun

A total of 11,700 people were unemployed in Yuma County in February, the ranks swollen by store closures, manufacturing layoffs and business cutbacks, according to the latest jobless report released by the state Thursday.

That translates to a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 22.5 percent in February, according to the Department of Commerce's monthly workforce report. The sobering figure continues the climb seen in recent months of Yuma County's unemployment rate, which was 19.7 percent in December and 21.4 percent in January at the time of year when employment usually rises with seasonal jobs.

Last year this time, the unemployment rate was 14.8 percent.

"We go in late and come out early with these downturns. I hope that holds true this time, too," observed Ken Rosevear, executive director of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

Still, he expects a "long, hot summer. I fear it will get worse before it gets better. I just hope we don't see any further erosion of retail and manufacturing. We need to look to keeping business local."

Rosevear appeals to residents to shop locally and for local municipalities to explore ways they might help jump-start the local economy.

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/news/unemployment_48751___article.html/county_yuma.html

[treestar]

1. It would seem that a below average journalist might, for that

article, hit upon the question of hmmmm, why is it so much higher there than everywhere else?

Are we just to assume that the illegal aliens are greater in number in this area? Of course they're at fault. :sarcasm:

If we are aware people are losing their jobs because we're keeping money in our pockets, why don't we show some faith and spend it anyway. Sort of bite the bullet, and go out to eat. Why just let it spiral on down? Keep it going.