[Southsider2k12]

http://www.chestertontribune.com/Business/...statewide_b.htm

By KEVIN NEVERS

The state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted jobless rate upticked in October to 9.0 percent from 8.9 percent in September (9.2 percent in October 2010), the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) said today.

DWD attributed the slight increase to an inflow of Hoosiers into the labor force, 36,000 in the last three months, the largest three-month increase since late 1993.

Nevertheless, for the ninth consecutive month, Indiana’s unemployment rate is equal to, or lower than, all of its neighboring states.

“More people coming back to the labor force caused a slight uptick in the unemployment rate after a strong increase in employment last month,” DWD Commissioner Mark Everson said.

Sectors showing significant gains in October were trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,900); government (+1,100); and manufacturing (+600).

Sectors showing significant declines were construction (-2,600); private education and health services (-1,400); and financial activities (-1,100).

Total non-farm employment decreased by 1,800 jobs in October.

Locally, Regionally

In Porter County in October the unemployment rate remained steady at 7.6 percent, the same as in September (7.7 percent in October 2010). Across Porter County 6,207 people were looking for work in October, compared to 6,128 in September, an increase of 1.3 percent (a decrease of 1.2 percent since October 2010).

In Lake County the unemployment rate in October rose to 9.7 percent, from 9.5 percent in September (10.6 percent in October 2010). In LaPorte County the unemployment rate in October increased by nearly half a point, to 10.0 percent from 9.6 percent in September (10.5 percent in October 2010).

In Chesterton, on the other hand, the unemployment rate in October spiked by more than half a point, to 7.3 percent from 6.7 percent (7.0 percent in October 2010). A total of 484 people was looking for work in October, compared to 436 in September, an increase of 11 percent (an increase of 4.5 percent since October 2010).

In Valparaiso the unemployment rate in October was flat at 7.3 percent, the same as in September (7.6 percent in October 2010). A total of 1,118 people was looking for work in October, compared to 1,106 in September, an increase of 0.4 percent (a decrease of 3 percent since October 2010).

In Portage the unemployment rate in October fell to 9.0 percent, from 9.1 percent in September (9.3 percent in October 2010). A total of 1,616 people was looking for work in October, compared to 1,640, a decrease of 1.2 percent (a decrease of 2.9 percent since October 2010).

Unemployment rates elsewhere in October:

•In Gary the rate increased to 13.9 percent, from 13.7 percent in September (12.2 percent in October 2010).

•In East Chicago the rate was flat at 12.9 percent, the same as in September (13.9 percent in October 2010).

•In Hammond the rate rose to 10.4 percent, from 10.1 percent in September (13.0 percent in October 2010).

•In Michigan City the rate rose to 10.9 percent, from 10.8 percent in September (12.1 percent in October 2010).

•In LaPorte the rate spiked by more than a full point, to 10.1 percent from 8.9 percent in September (10.2 percent in October 2010).

Alternative Measures

The official national unemployment rate in October dipped to 9.0 percent, from 9.1 percent in September (9.0 percent in October 2010).

But—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—if “discouraged workers,” all other “marginally attached workers,” and “total employed part-time for economic reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial unemployment rate in October fell to 16.2 percent, from 16.5 percent in September (15.9 percent in October 2010).

“Marginally attached workers” are those “who indicate that they want a job, have looked for work in the last 12 months (or since the last time they worked if they worked in the last 12 months), and are available for work.”

“Discouraged workers” are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including their belief that no job is available to them in their line of work or in their area.

“Persons employed part-time for economic reasons” are those “who want and are available for full-time work but have had to settle for a part-time schedule.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.chestertontribune.com/Business/...e_steady_in.htm

By KEVIN NEVERS

The state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained steady in November at 9.0 percent, the same as in October (9.4 percent in November 2010), the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) said on Tuesday.

According to DWD, Indiana’s labor force grew by 13,600 in November while over the past four months it’s grown by nearly 50,000.

“We welcome the increase in the labor force,” DWD Commissioner Mark Everson said. “The continued increase in Indiana’s labor force is in sharp contrast with our Midwestern neighbors and the nation as a whole.

Michigan’s workforce, for example, has shrunk for eight consecutive months, Everson noted, and Ohio’s for five of the last six months.

Private sector employment in Indiana rose by 1,700 jobs in November, while the October number has been revised upward by 2,600 jobs.

Sectors showing significant employment gains in November include construction (+2,600); leisure and hospitality (+1,700); and trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,200).

Sectors showing significant declines include manufacturing (-3,200); government (-1,700); and financial activities (-1,000).

Total non-farm employment in Indiana remained flat in November “because the increase in private sector employment was offset by a decrease in government employment,” DWD said.

Locally, Regionally

With a few exceptions, unemployment in November decreased slightly or remained flat in municipalities around the region.

In Porter County the unemployment rate in November dipped to 7.5 percent, from 7.6 percent in October (8.0 percent in November 2010). Across Porter County 6,052 people were looking for work in November, compared to 6,207 in October, a decrease of 2.5 percent (a decrease of 6.9 percent since November 2010).

In Lake County the unemployment rate in November was steady at 9.7 percent, the same as in October (10.0 percent in November 2010). In LaPorte County the unemployment rate in November was 9.9 percent, compared to 10.0 percent in October (10.7 percent in November 2010).

In Chesterton the unemployment rate in November dropped to 7.0 percent—the lowest in the region—compared to 7.2 percent in October (6.9 percent in November 2010). A total of 460 people was looking for work in November, compared to 484 in October, a decrease of 5 percent (an increase of 1.5 percent since November 2010).

In Valparaiso the unemployment rate in November climbed to 7.6 percent, from 7.3 percent in October (7.7 percent in November 2010). A total of 1,154 people was looking for work in November, compared to 1,118, an increase of 3.2 percent (a decrease of 1.5 percent since November 2010).

In Portage the unemployment rate in November fell to 8.8 percent, from 9.0 percent in October (9.6 percent in November 2010). A total of 1,565 people was looking for work in November, compared to 1,616 in October, a decrease of 3.2 percent (a decrease of 10 percent since November 2010).

Unemployment rates elsewhere in November:

•In Gary the rate fell to 13.7 percent, from 13.9 percent in October (12.0 percent in November 2010).

•In East Chicago the rate dropped to 12.6 percent, from 12.9 percent in October (14.0 percent in November 2010).

•In Hammond the rate rose to 10.5 percent, from 10.4 percent in October (11.0 percent in November 2010).

•In Michigan City the rate decreased by fully half a point, to 10.5 percent from 11.0 percent in October (11.6 percent in November 2010).

•In LaPorte the rate increased by fully half a point, to 10.6 percent from 10.1 percent in October (10.9 percent in November 2010).

Alternative Measures

The official national unemployment rate in November dropped by nearly half a point, to 8.6 percent from 9.0 percent (9.8 percent in November 2010).

But—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—if “discouraged workers,” all other “marginally attached workers,” and “total employed part-time for economic reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial unemployment rate in November was 15.6 percent, down from 16.2 percent in October (17.0 percent in November 2010).

“Marginally attached workers” are those “who indicate that they want a job, have looked for work in the last 12 months (or since the last time they worked if they worked in the last 12 months), and are available for work.”

“Discouraged workers” are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including their belief that no job is available to them in their line of work or in their area.

“Persons employed part-time for economic reasons” are those “who want and are available for full-time work but have had to settle for a part-time schedule.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.chestertontribune.com/Business/...ess_rate_ho.htm

By JEFF SCHULTZ

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted jobless rate held steady at 9.0 percent in December, the same as November and October (9.2 percent in December 2010).

The DWD said Indiana’s labor force grew by 17,200 in December, adding more than 12,000 private sector jobs. Since July, the state’s labor force has increased by 2.2 percent while the nation has only increased by .3 percent.

“2011 closed out with strong growth in employment and a continued increase in the labor force,” said Mark W. Everson, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “December was one of the best months for job creation in over a decade.”

Sectors showing significant employment gains in December include Professional and Trade Business Services (+4,800); Manufacturing (+3,600); Construction (+3,600) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,300).

The industry showing the sharpest job declines for the month was Leisure and Hospitality (-1,700).

Total non-farm employment in Indiana increased by 15,000 jobs in December as opposed to November when the figure remained flat.

Local and Regional Figures

Although unemployment numbers seemed to hold steady throughout the state, there were small increases in unemployment reported generally throughout Northwest Indiana.

In Porter County the unemployment rate in December rose to 7.6 percent, from 7.5 percent in November (8.1 percent in December 2010). Throughout the county, 6,172 people were looking for work in December compared to 6,052 in November, an increase of 1.8 percent (a decrease of 5.2 percent in December 2010).

In Lake County the unemployment rate in December held steady at its November rate of 9.7 percent, (the rate was 9.9 percent in December 2010). In LaPorte County the unemployment rate in December was 10.0 percent which is a .1 percent increase over November (10.6 percent in December 2010).

In Chesterton the unemployment rate in December significantly ballooned to 7.7 percent compared to 7.1 in November when the town had the lowest unemployment in the region (7.0 percent in December 2010). The report shows 516 people in Chesterton were looking for work in December compared to 460 in November, an increase of 9.3 percent (a decrease from 12.9 percent in December 2010).

In Valparaiso the unemployment rate for December dipped to 7.4 percent, from 7.5 percent in November (7.7 percent in December 2010). A total of 1,134 Valparaiso residents were looking for work in December, compared to 1,154 in November, a decrease of 1.1 percent (a decrease of 2.9 percent since December 2010).

In Portage the unemployment rate in December held at 8.8 percent, the same compared to November (9.4 percent in December 2010). A total of 1,595 Portage residents were looking for work in December, compared to 1,565 in November, an increase of 1.1 percent (a decrease of 4.9 percent since December 2010).

Unemployment rates elsewhere in December:

• In Gary the rate fell significantly to 13.0 percent from 13.6 percent in November (11.1 percent in December 2010).

• In East Chicago, the rate grew to 12.6 percent, a small climb compared to 12.5 in November (13.2 percent in December 2010).

• In Hammond, the rate went up to 10.7 percent from 10.5 percent in November (10.8 percent in December 2010).

• In Michigan City the rate rose by nearly a full half point to 10.8 percent from 10.4 percent in November (11.2 percent in December 2010).

• In LaPorte the rate fell slightly to 10.4 percent, from 10.5 percent in November (10.1 percent in December 2010)

Alternative Measures

The official national unemployment rate in December dropped modestly to 8.5 percent in December compared to 8.7 percent in November (9.4 percent in December 2011).

However – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – if “discouraged workers,” all other “marginally attached workers,” and “total employed part-time for economic reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial unemployment rate for December was reported to be 15.2 percent, down from 15.6 percent in November (and down from 16.6 percent in December 2010).

“Marginally attached workers” are those “who indicate that they want a job, have looked for work in the last 12 months (or since the last time they worked if they worked in the last 12 months), and are available for work.”

“Discouraged workers” are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including their belief that no job is available to them in their line of work or in their area.

“Persons employed part-time for economic reasons” are those “who want and are available for full-time work but have had to settle for a part-time schedule.”

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"...nearly a full half point?" Really?

In other news the Bears beat the Vikings by nearly a full half touchdown. The final score was 10-7.