Nick McWilliams reporting – With unemployment rates becoming more stable, Tuscarawas County officials are optimistic, but hoping workers can keep pace with growing job opportunities.
Following record unemployment highs in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the national unemployment rate dropped to 3.6-percent in May, below Ohio’s mark of 3.9-percent, and well above Tuscarawas County’s 2.9-percent.
Commissioner Kerry Metzger noted that works out to roughly 1,300 unemployed residents, which is a welcome sign, but wondered how it could factor into continuing job growth.
Commissioner Chris Abbuhl echoed Metzger’s remarks, noting that low unemployment is a welcome sign, but help signs remain scattered throughout the area.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet thing. We have a lot of people employed, but we still have a lot of employees that are looking for employees.”
In May, the United States added 390,000 jobs, with some six million citizens still without jobs.
Holmes County has the lowest unemployment rate in Ohio at 2.1-percent, with Cuyahoga at the top at 6-percent.
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