| 115th Year, 10th Issue | Thursday, October 16, 2003 | Sparta, North Carolina |
General economic indicators improved across Western North Carolina in August, but the region's employment situation remains troublesome, according to Todd L. Cherry, an economist at Appalachian State University. The region's economy posted a 0.6 percent gain in August, according to the Western North Carolina Economic Index.
Meanwhile, Alleghany lost its dubious honorary top spot for having the highest unemployment in the region. Yancey County eclipsed Alleghany as its rate rose from 8.03 percent on the July report to 12.3 percent, higher than the Alleghany County reported rate of 9.01 percent. Alleghany was ranked dead last for employment since May's report.
Alleghany's reported rate gives the county a rank of 22 in the region (with one being the county with least unemployed) for unemployment rate. Other counties with higher unemployment rates than Alleghany include Rutherford (10.35 percent) and Caldwell (10.93 percent).
Watauga County continues to lead the region with only 2.16 percent unemployment, followed by Henderson (3.67 percent) and Buncombe (3.83 percent).
Seasonally adjusted employment for the region decreased 0.3 percent in August and has decreased 0.6 percent during the past 12 months.
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