Unemployment rises in the Hudson Valley

WHITE PLAINS – Unemployment in the Hudson Valley in May rose 1.2 percent over May of last year, the state Labor Department reported Thursday. That is the highest May unemployment rate the region has seen in 14 years. It also rose substantially in the Catskills region.

New York joblessness was 4.9 percent in May, compared to 4.2 percent in May 2007.

Labor Department Analyst John Nelson said the higher numbers are a cause for concern.

“In our area in past year during the good times, we were an area that enjoyed very low unemployment rates,” he said. “In recent months, these rates have been going up so it’s definitely a cause for concern.” The May data reflects those concerns, said Nelson.

Sullivan County experienced the highest May unemployment at 6.2 percent compared to 4.9 percent in May of last year.

Delaware County unemployment rose from 3.9 percent to 5.8 percent.

Greene County unemployment rose from 4.5 percent in May 2007 to 5.7 percent this May.

Columbia County joblessness rose from 4.5 percent to 5.4 percent.

Ulster County unemployment in May was 5.1 percent compared to 3.9 percent in May 2007.

The Dutchess-Orange County area unemployment rate in May was 5.0 percent, up from 3.9 percent in May 2007.

The Putnam-Rockland-Westchester area came in at 4.6 percent unemployment in May, compared to 3.4 percent in May 2007.

http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/June08/20/unemp-20Jun08.html