Raleigh, N.C. — Need proof the economy is off track? Jobseekers, like George Flythe, say try finding work in Edgecombe County.
Flythe left the military two months ago and joined the ranks of those searching for a new career.
"I've been looking for jobs ever since, and I haven't been lucky," he said. "If anybody should get a job, I should get a job, and I'm not even getting a job."
He's not alone.
New numbers from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission released Friday show that the county has a 9.8 percent unemployment rate – one of the highest in the state.
Terry Anderson, with the Employment Security Commission, said the job market is typically more competitive this time of year with new graduates looking for jobs.
But she says the unemployment rate's increase – up from 8.9 percent – is more likely the result of many of the county's largest employers hiring fewer workers or scaling back on their work forces.
She notes many layoffs are linked directly to rising fuel prices.
"Employers are not making as much money," Anderson said. "They're spending more money, and the next thing they have to do with higher expenses is lay people off."
Although the Employment Security Commission helps train people and place them in jobs, Anderson said it will take more industry moving into the area to turn things around.
Unemployment numbers show Edgecombe is not alone. Ninety-two counties reported an increase in unemployment in May.
Edgecombe unemployment rate nears 10 percent
- Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
0 Comments
-
- N.C. tax overhaul still alive in budget talks
Updated 34 minutes ago - Fireworks truck explodes on Ocracoke, three killed
Updated at 8:36 a.m. |
- One dies in Lillington house fire
Updated at 10:05 a.m. - Scotland Neck man, woman dead in murder-suicide
Posted at 8:28 a.m. - Church makes care packages for N.C. Guard soldiers
Posted 5 minutes ago
- N.C. tax overhaul still alive in budget talks
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Ocracoke Island fireworks truck explosion
Updated at 8:59 a.m. - Summer Fun 2009
Updated at 10:50 a.m. - Your photos: Fourth of July celebrations
Updated 5 minutes ago
- Ocracoke Island fireworks truck explosion
top-voted stories
(7 votes) person reported missing at jordan lake
(7 votes) missing wallaby found
(3 votes) tribe wants name change for lumber river
(3 votes) one dies in lillington house fire
-
Cityscapes of the TriangleTake a tour through the urban landscapes of the Triangle's cities and towns.
-
Michael Jackson (1958-2009)The life and death of Michael Jackson in video and photos.
-
A year of N.C. Drought MapsView a time lapse animation of drought conditions during the last year.
-
'Antiques Roadshow' in RaleighThe "Antiques Roadshow" taped Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the Raleigh Convention Center, where over 5,000 ticket holders lined up to learn what…
-
The week in entertainmentA look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.




STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.