UPDATE: Edgecombe County Unemployment Rate
Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate of the state’s 100 counties in November, the latest figures show.
The county’s figures surpassed Scotland County, which had maintained the highest unemployment rate in the state for nearly a year.
According to recent media reports, the swine flu epidemic may have caused Scotland County’s jobless rate to drop. Qual-Pak, which makes Purell hand sanitizer and wipes, was poised to close last year until the H1N1 epidemic took hold.
Just before it was set to close, the plant received 300 million orders and had to hire more people.
Larry Parker, a spokesman for the N.C. Employment Security Commission, said the job market is extremely tight in Edgecombe County.
“Much like Scotland County, the Rocky Mount area certainly has had its fair share of struggles when it comes to the unemployment rate, not only during this recession, but even a little bit prior to that,” he said.
Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram
Monday, The Jacksonian featured an article from The Fayetteville Observer regarding the unemployment rate in Scotland County which was the highest in the state as of the month of December. As of Friday, Edgecombe County now has the highest rate of unemployment in North Carolina.
Both counties are rural and in dire need of a plan for economic development. I will restate that I believe the underdevelopment in the state's rural economies is the most dire issue facing North Carolina. This issue needs more than lipservice and talk from lawmakers.
The NC General Assembly handles local and statewide bills. As a candidate for the NC Senate Dist. 15 in Wake County this year, I want to take care of homefolks, naturally, but my definition of family extends to all counties. My vote will be needed for rural economic development, just as the rural legislator has to vote on Raleigh and Wake County issues. We must be together and let the road of opportunity be a two-way street, both leading to the Capitol City and away from it. "A rising tide lifts all boats," it's been written and it applies to helping each other county wise, too.
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