The Woodward News

Local News

October 6, 2012

Jobless numbers stay low in area

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — OKLAHOMA CITY - Counties in Northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle continue to have some of the lowest unemployment rates in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission numbers for August unemployment show Woodward County and surrounding counties all have jobless rates at 3 percent or lower.

Woodward County's unemployment rate is 2.6 percent, down from 2.9 percent in July and over a point lower than the 3.8 percent at this time last year.

"We always have construction and oilfield/wind energy jobs here," said Vicky Downey, regional OESC manager from Guymon who was working in the Woodward office Friday. "Plus, the population is lower here, which affects the percentages. Many are working."

The figure put the county at 5th lowest in the state. Ellis County has the state's lowest unemployment rate at 2.1 percent with Dewey County at 2.3 percent, Beaver County at 2.4 percent, Beckham County at 2.5 percent then Woodward.

The commission map showed most of the rest of Oklahoma at between 5.1 percent and 8.0 percent unemployment.

The highest unemployment rates were in far eastern counties where numbers ranged from 8.8 percent to 10.7 percent. Most of the counties bordered Arkansas or eastern Texas.

"We're trying to help there by offering workforce training and assisting with their job search," Downey said. "We encourage them to use www.okjobmatch.com to find  opportunities."

The website also has links to www.okworks.org and www.okmilitaryconnection.com, which may also provide everyone job hunting assistance, regardless of where they live, she added.

The statewide unemployment rate for August was 5.1 percent, actually a .2 percent increase from July. That was influenced by attempts to enter the workforce by more people looking for jobs, OESC officials said.

But compared August 2011, officials said there were more than 20,000 more persons employed across Oklahoma.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is at 7.8 percent, and the Department of Labor reported that was a 44-month low. In July, it was 8.1 percent.

For more information, contact OESC at the Woodward office, 1117 11th Street, (580) 256-3308.

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