Staff report
The county’s jobless rate improved slightly in June according to the latest figures released by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
Rowan’s unemployment rate in June fell to 6.3 percent, down from 7.5 percent in May, which was the fourth-highest rate in the state.
Statewide unemployment rates increased in 87 counties, in part due to the surge of students leaving for school and looking for summer jobs. Thirty-nine counties reported a jobless rate of 5 percent or better in June.
Debbie Davis, manager of the Salisbury office of the Employment Security Commission, said the Freightliner layoffs, both permanent and temporary, continue to be the major factor for the county’s jobless rate.
Davis said that the jobless rate will likely go back up when the July totals are released.
While the Freightliner layoffs are a hard hit, some local companies are hiring.
PGT, General Electric and National Starch have placed job listings, said Davis.
According to the state report, a total of 4,379 Rowan workers were unemployed in June. In May, a total of 5,324 county residents were listed as jobless.
Rowan’s jobless rate continues to be the highest among neighboring counties. The June rates for those counties are: Cabarrus, 4.5 percent; Iredell, 5 percent; Davidson, 5.7 percent; Davie 5.8 percent.
Statewide the five counties receiving the highest amount in unemployment insurance benefits in June were Mecklenburg, $6.8 million; Wake, $4.2 million; Guilford, $3.6 million; Rowan $2.2 million and Forsyth, $2.2 million.