By Rich Flowers News Editor
The Henderson County unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in December, according to information from the Texas Workforce Commission, equaling the highest mark of 2009.
Last year’s final statistics indicates the county was up from an 8.3-percent reading in November. The year ended with the largest number of unemployed for the decade. The Henderson County workforce dipped from 36,800 to 36,614.
The total employed was also down from 33,740 to 33,498. The number unemployed grew from 3.060 to 3,116.
The Texas seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose from 8.0 in November to 8.3 percent in December. The state rate remains well-below the national rate of 10.0.
“Texas continues to feel the effects of this serious national recession,” TWC Chairman Tom Pauken said.
Trade, transportation and utilities were the hardest hit sectors of Texas economy, with leisure and hospitality industries close behind.
“December losses offset some of the gains from the past couple of months, TWC Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton said.
Congleton again reminded job seekers that the state has 28 workforce boards committed to assisting them in their searches.
The East Texas Workforce Center at 205 N. Murchison St. in Athens offers help to local job seekers. ETWC can be reached at 903-677-7277.
The closing 2009 figures show dramatic unemployment increases for Henderson County and its neighbors from the previous December.
The following is a list of the December, 2008 numbers followed by December, 2009:
• Anderson - 5.7, 9.4;
• Henderson - 6.8, 8.5;
• Kaufman - 6.4, 8.9;
• Navarro - 6, 8.2;
• Van Zandt - 4.4, 7.1.
