Unemployment rises slightly in Grant County

MOSES LAKE - Grant County's unemployment rose by one-tenth of a percent in October to 7.8 percent.

But improvements were noted with the new SGL/BMW Automotive Carbon Fibers plant and expansions at Genie Industries.

The jobs added at the plants are included in the gains for the goods-producing sector, explained Mark Berreth, a regional labor economist with the state Employment Security Department.

Compared to October 2010, there was an 8 percent increase in the goods producing sector.

The improvements in the goods-producing sector are also due to the late agricultural season, which created a boost in jobs during September.

"The improvements aren't entirely from agriculture, though," he stated. "Now the new BMW/SGL plant is in these figures, whereas they weren't last year. Also there were some expansions at Genie that are also showing up from last year."

Another area of improvement was the service-providing sector, which showed a 1.1 percent increase from last year.

"When the goods-producing sector starts to grow, the people employed in that area need more services in the local economy and we're just seeing that slowly improve," Berreth commented.

They are needing more food options, possibly more mechanics to fix equipment and personal cars and entertainment, he noted.

"The last five months are still showing strong improvements for Grant County," he commented. "The total nonfarm increases were adjusted downward as the new figures were bench marked to tax figures. That being said, the employment gains in Grant County are maintaining impressive year-over-year growth as the area continues to lead the way to recovery."

He called this month's job decline seasonal, which shouldn't be viewed as negative, he stated.