Report shows slight uptick in unemployment

Unemployment rates for the Wilmington metropolitan area increased again in June.

The area includes Pender, Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, where the unemployment rate rose three tenths of a percent to 10.3%.

Bladen and Columbus Counties also saw increases in unemployment rates. In both counties the unemployment rate is now hovering around 13%.

Experts say part of the increase is due to a slow down in the tourism industry.

“They’re not hiring as many people,” said New Hanover County ESC Director Walker Biggs. “Some of the businesses may have hired more in the past, not as many people are going out to restaurants.”

Biggs said he expects the unemployment rate to remain stable through year’s end, but stimulus money could provide some hope. Workers will be needed for projects like the I-140 bypass.