Unemployment rate in county falls to 7.1 percent, nears prerecession levels

The unemployment rate in Nye County fell to 7.1 percent in September, marking the lowest point the county has seen since November 2007’s seven percent.

The jobless rate fell four-tenths of a percent from August’s 7.5 percent and is over a percent less than September 2015’s mark of 8.3 percent.

There were 16,001 in the civilian labor force in September, 14,865 were employed, 1,136 were unemployed. When the unemployment rate was seven percent in November 2007, there was a civilian labor force of 17,569, with 16,292 employed and 1,277 unemployed.

September marks the third straight month where the jobless rate fell, as it dropped from June’s 8.5 percent to 8.3 percent in July and then to 7.5 percent in August.

Tammi Odegard, workforce director at NyE Communities Coalition, isn’t surprised by the low unemployment level, as the non-profit organization has an abundance of openings on its job board.

“I have seen an increase in jobs that employers have posted here over the last month,” Odegard said. “At one point we had 213 local jobs on our job board… there are a lot of jobs to be had.

“It (the job board) really is impressive. People who think that there are no jobs in Pahrump, to see it like that, it shows just how much are available.”

Of those 200-plus jobs, Odegard said that they come from a variety of industries, in mostly entry-level positions.

“Mostly hospitality, customer service and I’ve seen a little increase in construction-related jobs,” she said. “It may not be what people are exactly looking for, but you can certainly get your foot in the door if you’re willing to show up and work.”

Odegard said that she is in constant contact with those employers seeking applicants and fills the openings quite regularly.

“I know lots of jobs are being filled and sometimes they are being filled internally, which in turn opens up other positions,” she said.

Statewide, the unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent in September, and Gov. Brian Sandoval explained that the number is back to prerecession levels.

“Following nearly six years of consistent job growth, I’m extremely encouraged by the fact that the Silver State has regained the 186,000 jobs lost during the recession,” Sandoval said. “Looking forward, I’m equally encouraged by our thriving existing community and continued economic development success.”

The highest unemployment rate in the state is held by Esmeralda County at eight percent, and the lowest jobless rate in Nevada is in Elko County, where they have a 4.1 percent rate.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.