| 114th Year, 21st Issue | Thursday, January 2, 2003 | Sparta, North Carolina |
Nearly 50,000 unemployed North Carolinians lost the remaining weeks of extended unemployment benefits on Dec. 28, 2002, when the federal Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program came to an end.
The N.C. Employment Security Commission (ESC) is working to inform those workers — many of whom have been unemployed for nearly a year — of ongoing assistance the agency can provide as they continue searching for employment.
A total of 14 individuals in Alleghany County were among those who will lose their benefits as the extension period comes to a close.
Arvill Scott, the branch manager of the Alleghany County Employment Security Commission, said the program has helped offset the lack of job opportunities in the county for some time.
"I am thankful that there are so few affected by the loss of those benefits," said Scott. He said that more than 450 people in the county are still looking for jobs, while there may be more that are not included statistically.
The number of local workers still furthering their education is lower than in the past, but some are still in training. In all, about 80 displaced workers are pursuing education under dislocated worker programs administered by ESC.
The employment picture remains bleak for most unemployed workers.
"Right now, there are not as many listings with us as there have been, mainly due to normal seasonal and weather-related closures."
Scott said it does appear that housing activity in the Roaring Gap area and the tourism industries are the only bright spots on the horizon — both of which will not begin offering employment until the spring.
The main job shortage is in the realm of manufacturing jobs, which Martin Marietta Composites is likely to help fill. "Right now, there are many people pinning their hopes on gaining employment there," he said.
Scott said that any additional extension of benefits would help offset job losses.
As of Dec. 31, the county's displaced workers have received $2.752 million in unemployment benefits.
"I'm real hopeful that Martin Marietta will spur, and has already spurred, a better attitude in the county that things are beginning to improve," Scott said.
Some of the other businesses that might provide related services to that company might also provide employments opportunities, Scott said.
"The ripple effect of them being here is going to be a bonus for us, too," he noted.
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