State agencies across the commonwealth gather data on jobs, employment, and the economy — but they struggle to share it, hamstringing how useful it is.
Legislators have taken notice and are looking to compel some digital cooperation.
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The U.S. added 303,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in March as the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.8%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday.
Economists anticipated that the country would add 200,000 jobs in March compared to the 275,000 jobs that were added in initial estimates for February, and that the unemployment rate would remain unchanged at 3.9%, according to Reuters. The job gains are in spite of persistent layoffs that reached a 14-month peak in March at 90,309.
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Ohio’s job market remained neutral in February, better than falling like the national figures, according to analysts.
The new numbers from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services bucked a trend of rising unemployment in the state that covered six months.
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Georgia’s February unemployment rate remained unchanged from the revised January rate, labor officials said Thursday.
State officials said the Peach State’s 3.1% unemployment rate is below the national rate of 3.9%. Last week, state officials said Georgia’s January unemployment rate dropped to 3.1%, the first drop in more than a year after holding at 3.2% in 2023.
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The U.S. added 275,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in February as the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday.
Economists anticipated that the country would add 200,000 jobs in February compared to the 353,000 that were added in January, and that the unemployment rate would remain at 3.7%, according to Reuters. The job gains were announced two days after Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, told the House Financial Services Committee in its semi-annual monetary policy report that he does not believe that there is evidence for a recession, meaning rate cuts could be on the horizon.
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The United States Army is reducing its size by about 5%, cutting roughly 24,000 jobs, as part of a restructuring plan that is ostensibly meant to better prepare for a possible war in the future.
As ABC News reports, the cuts will mostly affect posts that are already empty, such as counterinsurgency jobs that were previously needed in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan but no longer needed today, as well as about 3,000 jobs in the Army special operations forces.
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Arizona continues to see job growth while unemployment remains slightly higher than the national average.
The state saw 8,100 nonfarm jobs increase from November to December, and year-over-year saw 64,800 nonfarm jobs added, according to a non-seasonally adjusted figure.
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More Americans are having to take part-time jobs as consumers struggle with economic factors like high inflation, while full-time employment has sunk in tandem, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Around 133,196,000 workers were employed with full-time jobs in the U.S. in December, which was down from 134,727,000 in November — a drop of more than 1.5 million, according to the BLS. During that same time frame, the number of Americans employed in part-time positions rose by 762,000, while the number of people with multiple jobs increased by 222,000.
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Beginning April 1, the minimum wage for employees working in California’s fast food chains and health care industries will rise to $20 per hour and, in some cases, up to $23 per hour. Many employers managing independent restaurants, retail, and other industries will have to match the higher hourly rate to retain employees. And for hourly employees whose wages are indexed to the minimum wage, mostly in California’s unionized public sector, wages will rise proportionately.
There is no national consensus on the impact of minimum-wage laws. It is part of a much larger debate over what constitutes an optimal economic environment to enable, quoting from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “economic security and independence.”
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Government employees in the United States topped 23 million for the first time in December, according to the employment numbers released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In November, according to BLS, there were 22,951,000 people employed by the local, state and federal governments in the United States. In December, there were 23,003,000.
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Scottsdale, Arizona, is considered the best city in the U.S. for jobs, according to a new ranking from WalletHub.
The city received its high ranking because of 12% job growth, according to the personal finance website. Scottsdale ranked first in job market out of the 182 cities listed, and sixth in the socio-economics rank. Wallethub got the numbers by looking at 31 factors to determine the rankings for people looking for jobs.
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The U.S. added 199,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in November as the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.7%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday.
Economists had anticipated that the country would add 180,000 jobs in November compared to the 150,000 jobs that were added in October and that the unemployment rate would remain at 3.9%, according to Reuters. The number of jobs added in the month was boosted due to the resumption of work by autoworkers and actors who participated in the recent strikes.
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The labor market continues to soften, with 199,000 jobs created last month, well below the recent average. Real job creation is far lower than this topline number suggests. Nearly 50,000 jobs were unproductive government jobs, continuing the trend of disproportionately high government job growth. The return of striking auto workers accounted for about 30,000 jobs. And 77,000 jobs were created in healthcare, which is a quasi-government industry. That leaves only about 40,000 jobs created in the real economy.
Real wages continue to stagnate, growing at the same rate as core inflation following significant declines in the first two years of Biden’s presidency. As usual, job creation in previous months was revised down in today’s report. Nearly one million more Americans are unemployed since April.
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Data from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office shows that new business filings in Tennessee for the third quarter of 2023 were the highest in the state’s history.
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Cracks in the labor market and the broader economy continue to emerge. The October jobs report released Friday morning reveals that only 150,000 jobs were created last month, below expectations and well below the recent average. August and September job creation was revised down by more than 100,000, taking the sheen off the September jobs report.
The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%. While this figure is still low, there are now nearly one million more unemployed Americans than in April of this year.
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Tennessee’s unemployment rate rose slightly above a record low in September, rising to 3.2% after spending July and August at 3.1%.
The September rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than September 2022.
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A new tool aimed at helping applicants locate openings for state government positions in Ohio based on their specific experiences, skills, and training was rolled out this week.
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The U.S. added 336,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September as the unemployment rate remained at 3.8%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday.
Economists had anticipated that the country would add 170,000 jobs in September compared to 187,000 in August and that the unemployment rate would slide down to 3.7% from 3.8%, according to Reuters. Private employment data for September showed that only 89,000 jobs were added for the month, as the professional and business services, trade, transportations and utilities and manufacturing services sectors all had substantial losses, according to ADP.
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Malibu Boats officials recently announced the company will invest $75 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Lenoir City.
The company’s expansion project will mark its second plant located outside of its headquarters in Loudon. The new plant will be located at an existing facility in the Roane Regional Business and Technology Park.
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Three Tennessee cities have ranked among the Top 50 Best Job Markets in SmartAsset’s 2023 study of the 340 largest U.S. cities.
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U.S. Senator and Republican presidential hopeful Tim Scott is unveiling his “Build, Don’t Borrow” economic plan as he prepares for another campaign trip to Iowa.
Scott says his proposal targets runaway government spending, while cutting taxes, expanding jobs and “unleashing American manufacturing and energy production” with his Made in America agenda.
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South Korean company CJ Foodville Corporation announced this week it will invest more than $47 million to build a new bakery and food processing facility in Gainesville.
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Daesol Ausys, a South Korean automotive supplier, announced Tuesday it will invest $72 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in Harris County.
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The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) released county-specific unemployment data on Thursday for July.
Last month, a majority of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported lower unemployment rates compared to the data reported in June, according to TDLWD.
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The Kroger Company officials announced Monday that the company will construct a new Central Fill facility in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the world’s largest retailers.
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HVAC company American Residential Services (ARS)/Rescue Rooter recently announced that it will invest $2.75 million to expand its headquarters operations in Memphis.
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New data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) revealed unemployment across the state reached a historic low in July of 3.1 percent.
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Georgia’s July unemployment rate was 3.2%, unchanged from June’s revised rate, even as more Georgians filed initial unemployment claims.
The state’s unemployment rate is also lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.5%. In July, Georgians filed 31,410 initial claims for unemployment benefits, up 34%, or 7,933, from a month earlier and 2,865 from last year.
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The State of Georgia broke records for the third year in a row in regards to economic development as total investments in facility expansions and new locations totaled more than $24 billion during fiscal year 2023 (FY23).
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RedDOT Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will invest $18 million to expand its manufacturing and distribution operations in Memphis.
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Friday’s jobs numbers show the labor market is softening due to Bidenomics and Bidenflation. Only 187,000 jobs were created last month. That’s below expectations, 40% less than the 12-month average, and the lowest level since the pandemic. Previous months’ employment growth was also revised down significantly, taking the sheen off recent jobs reports.
Average wages grew slower than core inflation, meaning Americans’ real wages and living standards remain stagnant. Friday’s numbers come on the heels of this week’s JOLTS report showing the fewest number of job openings and the fewest number of Americans quitting their jobs since the pandemic.
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South Korean company Duckshin Housing announced this week it will invest more than $15 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing presence in Athens.
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South Korean company Hanon Systems recently announced it will invest $170 million to establish a new manufacturing presence in Loudon.
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McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company that manufactures purpose-built commercial vehicles and equipment announced Wednesday that it will invest $25.2 million to expand its manufacturing presence in Middle Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), the company plans to expand operations at its current Parkway Place facility in Murfreesboro to fabric and weld custom vehicle components.
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Bradshaw Home, a designer and marketer of kitchen and cleaning products, will establish operations in Georgia by constructing a new distribution center in Effingham County.
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Tennessee reached an all-time low of 3.2% unemployment in June, matching the 3.2% mark set in June 2022.
The rate had been 3.3% in both April and May after being 3.5% in January and February.
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A Japanese probiotic beverage company recently announced it will establish operations in the Peach State by building a production facility at a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certified site in Cartersville.
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Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.6% during June, according to data released by the state’s Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Total employment increased by 26,000, while unemployment edged down by 3,000, resulting in a labor force gain of 23,000 over the month.
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Kia plans to spend more than $200 million to accommodate the assembly of its new electric SUV at its west Georgia facility.
State officials said the project will create roughly 200 new jobs at Kia’s West Point plant, Kia Corporation’s first manufacturing site in North America. When assembly of the EV9 starts in the second quarter of 2024, it will be the fifth model to be assembled at Kia Georgia.
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The U.S. economy added 209,000 jobs in June, according to the latest establishment survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than expected as 306,000 were added in May, as hiring slowed down nationwide. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained about the same at 3.6 percent.
Historically, when hiring slows down by establishments, that usually coincides with economic slowdowns and recessions. In the recent cycle, the 2020 and 2021 recovery from COVID notwithstanding, hiring peaked at about 5.2 percent annualized increase in Feb. 2022. Now, it’s down to 2.5 percent.
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The U.S. economy added 209,000 jobs in June, according to the latest establishment survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than expected as 306,000 were added in May, as hiring slowed down nationwide. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained about the same at 3.6 percent.
Historically, when hiring slows down by establishments, that usually coincides with economic slowdowns and recessions. In the recent cycle, the 2020 and 2021 recovery from Covid notwithstanding, hiring peaked at about 5.2 percent annualized increase in Feb. 2022. Now, it’s down to 2.5 percent.
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Southwestern Virginia is set to benefit from a $7.5 million expansion of Musser Biomass and Wood Products, bringing new, high-paying jobs to the area and more than doubling its production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust.
Musser’s parent company, Musser Lumber Company, has contributed to the Wythe County economy since 1968 when it was founded, and today has customers across the country and worldwide. The company specializes in preparing hardwood lumber for flooring and paneling, and sources lumber from dozens of regional sawmills.
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced Thursday that approximately $5.9 million in Site Development Grant funds have been awarded to 10 community entities across the state.
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Enchem America Inc. officials announced Monday that the company will invest $152.5 million to establish electrolyte manufacturing operations in Haywood County, which is categorized as an “economically distressed” county by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently wrapped up a six-day economic development trip to France and Italy, Lee’s office announced Monday.
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An automotive parts manufacturer plans to establish a new facility in Henry County, and the state is offering “customized training services” as part of the project.
NVH Korea plans to spend $72 million on the Locust Grove facility and create more than 160 jobs. The new facility at Gardner Logistics Park on Colvin Drive will supply battery parts for electric vehicles in the United States.
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Independent Stave Company officials recently announced that the company will invest $30 million to establish new manufacturing operations in Overton County, which is categorized as an “economically distressed” county by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
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A new study by the Vital Transformation and We Work for Health organizations estimates that recent federal drug policies could result in more than 11,000 jobs lost in Arizona.
The study states that in addition to job losses, fewer drugs and therapies would be approved over a ten-year period. These negative developments would all be due to the market controls put in place by the Senate-introduced SMART Prices Act, an extension of the Inflation Reduction Act.
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PVS Plastics Technology Corporation officials recently announced that the company will invest $6.9 million to establish its second U.S. facility in Johnson City.
PVS, which describes itself as an “environmentally friendly plastics company,” is based in Niedernhall, Germany. The company specializes in manufacturing electric motor and fan components for the automotive and commercial HVAC industries.
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For the third year in a row, the state of Arizona was awarded the Gold Shovel by Area Development magazine for states within the 6-10 million residents category.
The award, given on June 7, recognizes states that, “garnered large job-creating and investment projects through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, and other processes that attracted new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities.” Since 2007, Arizona has won five gold shovel and six silver shovel awards. The state bested silver shovel winners Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee in the population category.
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