Latest figures show sluggish job growth : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

Unemployment rates fell across the Triad in April, but not in sufficient numbers to make much of a dent in the dramatic job losses created during the recession.

It’s the same story that played out across much of the state last month.

“North Carolina’s local labor markets are taking a winding road to recovery,” John Quinterno, a principal at a Chapel Hill research firm, wrote in his monthly employment report. “Some conditions have improved relative to the depth of the recession, but job growth remains subdued and joblessness widespread.”

In the Greensboro-High Point metro area, for example, the April unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent — only the second dip below 10 percent since the beginning of 2009.

Yet, since the recession began, the number of people without jobs in the area has increased by nearly 100 percent, growing from 17,839 in December 2007 to 35,447 last month.

“There is still a long way to go before unemployment falls to a level where it was at the start of the recession,” Quinterno said. “We are going to have to do a lot better if these labor markets are going to experience any kind of meaningful recovery.”
Yet, officials at the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina put a more positive spin on the latest numbers.

A spokesman said the Greensboro-High Point area has shown job growth for three consecutive months, adding 1,700 in February, 4,200 in March and 2,800 in April.

“It may not be large,” ESC spokesman Larry Parker said, “but as long as it is consistent growth, even if it is small, then that is a good thing. ... More people have found work.”

Yet, Quinterno points out, the area labor force has contracted by 2.2 percent in the past year, suggesting that some of those have become discouraged and quit looking for work.

That same problem existed across the state, Quinterno said, pointing out that 89 counties and 13 metro areas had smaller labor forces than a year ago.

Since the recession began, North Carolina has lost 6.7 percent of its employment base, or nearly 279,000 positions, and has seen its unadjusted unemployment rate climb from 4.7 percent to 9.5 percent.

In April, the state gained 2,900 more jobs than it lost. Over the past year, Quinterno said, employers have added 24,100 more jobs than they cut for an average monthly gain of just more than 2,000 jobs.

“We are just not gaining jobs at a rate fast enough to replace those lost during the recession or to keep pace with population growth,” Quinterno said. “At this pace, we are talking about a period of years.”

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 of don.patterson@news-record.com

JRL2

May 28, 2011 - 7:49 am EDT

We know the job growth isn't growing. We know there is few jobs to be had, we are still in a recession no matter how you slice it. The Obama administration keeps playing the old political game of slinging mud, if you sling enough hype, enough lie's, eventually something will stick, then they point to what sticks and say see it's getting better, when in fact it isn't. It's all a game at this point for Obama because he wants people to believe we are out of a recession so he can get re-elected. I always thought Clinton was one of the biggest liars there was in the Presidents office, but Obama take that crown away from him. He will tell you anything to get your vote. And we have a administration in NC that follows suit. Kay Hagan, Brad Miller, Watts, and the head ring leader Perdue.

kirkman

May 28, 2011 - 9:14 am EDT

I am sure that there are things Obama could do about the mess he inherited from President Bush; however, this mess in NC could be improved by the NC government if they would. That is the responsibility of OUR elected people.
If all levels of the government would stop using the unemployed people as PAWNS things might get better. Our government could submit, and pass a bill to help these people and thus help the economy. This bill should not be used as a pawn and tied to any other bill. THAT is using the unemployed people as PAWNS!!!!!

May 28, 2011 - 1:10 pm EDT

Yeah Obama promise to fix the so called inherited mess from Bush, He made it twice as bad, and it has continue to get worst.

May 28, 2011 - 7:58 am EDT

This article does not explain the REAL impact on the economy of this area nor does it dicuss the impact on the lives of the men, women, and the CHILDREN of those who have,that have lost jobs. Our Govenor has shown she has no regard for thousands of unemployed workers and our economy by her veto of the bill to extend benefits to thousands of unemployed persons. An average of $300,00 per week for 37,000 persons over months is a huge impact on the economy. Many of these people are trying to educate themselves, care for the CHILDREN. by struggling through each day on the shoulders of the community, social service, and the GRACE OF GOD. Everyone with or without a job is feeling the impact of her decision, dollars that could be flowing to rebuild the economy are NOT flowing .Food, shelter, clothing, household goods,and gas to look for a job can NOT be purchased. Ms Perdue could CARE LESS!!! The state of North Carolina needs new people to lead our state into a better economy--VOTE for better persons to acomplish this, not just the govenor but all persons that have an effect on our economy, and HOLD THESE PERSONS ACCOUNTABLE for doing their jobs. All prayers are requested for these unemployed persons and for of state of North Carolina.

caringheart

May 28, 2011 - 9:03 am EDT

Congress is supposed to vote once again on the extension bil on tuesday,however i will be praying that it goes through this time!.North carolina does not have enough job's to go around,i don't care what the stat's say,they are using that as excuse not to pay the people the money that they are entitled to.some people defend bev perdue saying that it is not her fault,but i beg to differ,she should be the bigger person and restore the benefit's to the people!they say that they don't have the money!,but from what i understand, it is federal fund's.they cut the benefit's at the end almost,and that was evil!God is still in control, and he will fix it next week to those of you who belive.I once thought north carolina was an beautiful state to live, and work.I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN BE SO GREEDY, AND CRUEL!be blessed everyone that is being affected by this chaos!

Panacea

May 28, 2011 - 9:27 am EDT

So, you're saying Governor Perdue should abrogate her authority, and agree to allow the General Assembly to institute large budget cuts without debate or discussion just to pay unemployment benefits to 42,000 people?

Sorry, that doesn't fly. The General Assembly needs to do the hard work of give and take to come up with a budget, not pass large cuts by fiat so a handful of people can get a check.

I realize the unemployed are hurting. So are a lot of other people. It does no good to hurt one group to help another.

May 28, 2011 - 9:44 am EDT

No one should be hurt, I agree, however they are using these people as PAWNS. That is Wrong. Pass a bill to allow theses unemployed people to receive benefits and work out the Budget without using the unemployed. people. That is money that can flow and help the economy. How would the elected people like it if their salaries were taken away. How about taking their salaries and donate them to food banks and charities for their remaining terms. Most of these people are rich and don't need the money anyway. I am sure our food banks could use the monies. No matter which way things go--I do not expect the Tuesday bill to pass-Our government employees in Raleigh are not doing their jobs, if you do not do your job "You" would be fired. That goes for Federal and State and elected officials also. Thses monies are FEDERAL DOLLARS GOVENOR PERDUE IS NOT ALLOWING OUR STATE TO RECEIVE.

May 28, 2011 - 2:42 pm EDT

Actually, it is the General Assembly who is standing in the way. They are using that money to arm twist the Governor into doing something she believes is irresponsible.

No one likes to be blackmailed, and that is what Phil Berger is trying to do. No thanks.

rmacz

May 29, 2011 - 8:48 am EDT

Phil Berger for the next Governor. The people do not want to be like NY.

Abner Doon

May 28, 2011 - 9:40 am EDT

http://triadwatch.blogspot.com/2011/05/latest-figures-show-greensboro-hi...

corisaki

May 28, 2011 - 2:46 pm EDT

This mess has been here among us for many years previously, all through 3 administrations. The signs were out there, but few of us noticed or headed their warnings. This "recession" by all terms has lasted much longer than any in history, and lingers on the edge of full out Depression, which the officials are too weary to proclaim. Jobs have been devalued, outsourced, and eliminated, all in the name of "progress," but at what cost? The evidence is clear the cost we have paid and have yet to still pay. Corruption and attacks on businesses, have left the working man out in the cold. Educated businessmen and women are now vying for common customer service jobs that they did when they first entered the workforce as a young HS grad. HS grads are feeling the pressures as they are finding it hard to enter the workforce with so much competition for that "burger flipping" job.Families of all income levels are feeling the pinch more and more and reverting to tactics of the 70's to survive. They say history has a way of repeating itself , lest you not learn the first time....I believe those who do not recall how it was in the 70's decade or beyond, had better start reading up on the past if they wish to understand their present and how to emerge from it. Hard times force communities to come together, small businesses rise up, and a sense of protectiveness emerges. Values which should be within all mankind, seem to become present once more when a common hardship affects many. It is sad this is how we regain the values we need in society. It took us years to get into this situation, and it will take years to get out of it too. The important consideration, however, is how we choose to live through it, not succumb to its plan to destroy. Government has a part to play in this yes, so must society and small towns do their part as well, if we are to overturn this and come out triumphant. History has proven we can overcome, it is up to us all to re-write our present and make it our history!

Mr. JMS

May 28, 2011 - 4:27 pm EDT

"road to recovery"
What recovery? How many times do we have to hear of false claims of recovery from our incompetant administration, before the American people realize we have been duped by a self serving president whose only concern is to make enough people believe there is a recovery going on, so he can get re-elected. Obama wouldn't know how to create a job if his life depended on it. He only has to fool enough people into thinking he is creating jobs.

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