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Columbia-Greene Unemployment Numbers

NEW PALTZ, NY (WAMC) - Unemployment numbers for two Hudson Valley counties show that recovery has been difficult - but there is a glimmer of hope - Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
 

Last week the New York State Department of Labor released February unemployment data : about 2500 Columbia County residents were categorized as "unemployed" - the data shows a rise in the county unemployment rate to 8.5 percent in February, up from 8.4 percent in January and 8.2 percent in February 2011.

The numbers are similar in neighboring Greene County, with 2400 listed as unemployed. The February unemployment rate stood at 9.8 percent, up from 9.6 percent in January 2012 and 9.2 percent in February 2011. The statewide average is ,Director of the Workforce Investment Office at Columbia-Greene Community College, wonders about the accuracy of the local numbers.

Capital Region Labor Market Analyst James Ross cleared up any confusion surrounding the data, attributing errant numbers to a "transfer error." Career Specialist Dan Moran with NextAct.com believes now is a good time to find work - he emphasizes "small business is where the growth is."

Observers note that "growth" is a good sign, especially since the federal government has been tightening funding for Workforce Investment Act job placement programs: Mary-Alane Wiltse notes her agency is doing all it can to provide services - She says 6-hundred people registered for programs since Jan. 1st, up from 480 last year.

© Copyright 2012, WAMC

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.