State unemployment drops slightly in December

Statewide unemployment dipped slightly in December, down one-tenth of a percent to 9.9 percent.

But even with the modest decline, officials with the nonprofit N.C. Justice Center say unemployment was up in 2011.

Despite the month-to-month decline, the number of unemployed people has actually grown by 9,154 since December 2010, N.C. Justice Center figures show.

N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll said jobs continue to be N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue’s focus.

“Looking at the private sector over-the-year, we are seeing some moderate signs of improvement. We remain committed to assisting our customers statewide with our programs and services available at our local offices,” Carroll said.

Since this time last year, the number of people unemployed has increased by 9,154. The state unemployment rate in December 2010 was 9.8 percent, Carroll said.

“There continues to be too few jobs for the state’s workforce,” said Alexandra Sirota, Director of the North Carolina Budget and Tax Center, a project of the N.C. Justice Center. “The result is ongoing high numbers of unemployed workers, workers out of work for longer, and slow growth in the labor force overall.” 

“If North Carolina is to rebuild its economy, it will be critical that the jobs deficit is closed with good, quality jobs,” Sirota said.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1, when the county unemployment rates for the month of December will be released.