RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's unemployment rate dipped slightly in March even though more workers entered the labor market with hopes they could now find a job.
The state's Employment Security Commission on Friday reported that the unemployment rate for March dipped a fraction to 11.1 percent, down from 11.2 percent in February.
The new unemployment data also showed there were nearly 2,800 fewer people on the unemployment rolls in March than the month before. An additional 18,000 people have jobs.
Campbell University business school dean Ben Hawkins says another hopeful sign is that manufacturing workers were asked to put in longer hours. He says the more companies push their people, the greater the pressure to hire extra workers.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Look at the true numbers
From 2000 through 2009, NC has had the top jobless rate in the South Atlantic region. Despite an influx of people and an increasing available college work force, NC has had a net job growth of 2.5%. During that same time period, VA has grown 10.8%; even Florida has had a growth rate of 7.9%.
In the same time frame, NC has had a double digit unemployment rate every year when one looks at the state as a whole.
From 1974 through 1999, the State had a double digit unemployment rating in just 1 year.
NC is viewed as having the worst business "atmosphere" in the South Atlantic region. High taxes on corporate activities and high personal income tax rates lead the set of conditions which foster these circumstances.
All of this negativity took place during the Easley and Perdue administrations. They, and their cadre of liberal legislators, mortgaged our economic future to provide all of those "entitlements" to those who choose not to work and who contribute to their staying in office.
If anyone is anticipating some big announcements of new European industry arriving as a result of her latest junket to Germany and England, you probably also anticipate the new convention center and hotel will be booked solid before it's even finished.
Deceptive number
Remember this does not include all the people who are unemployed who have exhausted their benefits. It will be even lower next month as the final payments are made. In reality the people unemployed or underemployed is staggering