Unemployment Rate Reaches Highest Level in Six Years

CLARK COUNTY, WA-Clark County’s unemployment rate reached its highest level in six year in August. Newly released state figures put the county’s unemployment rate in August at 5.1%, up from July’s 4.4% and up substantially from 3.9% in August 1999. An estimated 9,000 people are looking for work in the county, compared with 7,100 a year ago.

The August rate is the highest since March 1994, according to Scott Bailey, labor analyst with the Washington State Department of Employment Security. A higher jobless rate translates to less confidence in the local economy, which can further the slowing, he says.

Earlier this year, Freightliner announced plans to lay off 770 employees in October and reduce its Portland production in the face of declining demand for its large trucks. Some of those layoffs have come early, according to the state.