Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013 12:01 am
Havasu News
Lake Havasu City’s unemployment rate inched downward in October, falling to 10 percent as local business and community leaders said Thursday that they continue to see positives in the economic picture.
The city’s October unemployment rate is four-tenths of a percent lower than the 10.4 percent from September, according to numbers released Thursday by the Arizona Department of Administration. Mohave County’s rate dropped two-tenths of a percent from 9.8 in September to 9.6 percent in October.
The number of special events in October, new construction and preliminary sales tax numbers all reflect a brighter perspective than what is shown with the continued high unemployment rate, business and community leaders said.
Lisa Krueger, president, CEO of the Lake Havasu Area Chamber even said she has no confidence in the unemployment numbers.
“There have been no big closings or openings in the last month,” Krueger said. But she added that she would expect the city’s unemployment rate to be lower with all of October’s special events and the number of help wanted ads listed in this newspaper.
“I enjoyed every weekend in October,” Krueger said. “I’m guessing (businesses) had added revenue from events. The weather was perfect.”
Simply, with the approaching holiday season and the likelihood of businesses hiring added help and the winter visitors in town should reflect better on the employment situation, Krueger said.
Mayor Mark Nexsen also said he’s seen positive economic trends that aren’t reflected in the local unemployment numbers.
“(Unemployment numbers) don’t coincide with the activity in Lake Havasu City,” Nexsen said. “Preliminary sales tax revenues are up compared to last year.” The chamber has increased its membership in recent months, he said. Construction permits for new residential listings are up as well, he added.
It’s possible that some employers are having a difficult time finding the right person to match with a vacant position, Nexsen said. But, like Krueger, he said he has noticed that the number of help wanted ads in the paper has increased.
The city’s unemployment rate has averaged 10.2 percent throughout the first 10 months of the year, checking in at a low of 9.5 percent in February and a high of 11.3 percent in August.
Havasu’s labor force is listed as 21,828 residents, which is the lowest number of the year so far.
The city’s number of employed is 19,642 residents. Unemployed is listed at 2,186 citizens.
The unemployment numbers are prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics by the Arizona Department of Administration, Office of Employment and Population Statistics. For more details visit, www.azstats.gov.
You may contact the reporter at gmoberly@havasunews.com.
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