Posted on Sat, May. 20, 2006

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S.C. work lags behind workers

Jobs outpaced by population growth

By Seanna Adcox

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA - The state's monthly unemployment rate rose for the third time this year, creeping up one-tenth of a percentage point in April to 6.6 percent.

The jobless rate, which represents nearly 140,000 people without work, has ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point each month since February. The state began the year at 6.2 percent in January, below the 7.2 rate reported last October through December.

South Carolina's unemployment rate continues to rank fourth nationwide, ahead of Mississippi (7.7 percent), Michigan (7.2 percent) and Alaska (7 percent). The national jobless rate remained unchanged at 4.7 percent. The best rate was in Hawaii, with 2.8 percent unemployment.

The S.C. Employment Security Commission reported an increase of 15,600 jobs in April, with the leisure and hospitality sector accounting for nearly half the increase.

Compared with a year ago, 48,400 more people are working statewide.

"South Carolina's economy continues to improve as industries seem to be returning to normal growth patterns," the Employment Security Commission reported in a release.

"The job outlook for graduates is probably the best it's been in and universities reporting a significant increase in the number of employers recruiting on campus."

Marion County posted the state's highest unemployment rate at 12.2 percent. That was a one-tenth of a percentage point decrease for that county from last month.

McCormick County saw the largest increase in unemployment, jumping nine-tenths of a percentage point to 11.3 percent in April.

In all, seven of the state's 46 counties had double-digit unemployment. Beaufort County had the lowest jobless rate at 4 percent, a three-tenths of a percentage point improvement.

"Regardless of month-to-month changes in the state's unemployment rate, there are some more telling signs that say we're moving in the right direction with respect to our economy," Gov. Mark Sanford said in a release.

Compared with January 2003, when Sanford took office, nearly 128,500 more people are working in South Carolina, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sanford has repeatedly cited the state's population growth as a reason for the unemployment numbers.

"We believe more money needs to be returned to the private sector so we can grow the economy, not government," Sanford said.

The state's jobless rates have been a source of criticism against Sanford, who faces re-election this year, from foes in both parties.

For four months in 2005, S.C. unemployment statistics were the highest they had been since 1983.