Rutherford County has one of the highest unemployment rates in NC, tied for top in WNC
New unemployment data was recently released by the state
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in December 2023, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two, according to a recently released NC Department of Commerce report.
Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.5 percent. The not-seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent. Read more and dive into the data on the state’s website and view the latest (2021) expanded report about the inflow and outflow of jobs.
The state’s seasonally adjusted January 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago, Governor Roy Cooper recently said in a press release.
Cops & Congress commentary
How can unemployment rates decline in rural areas, like Rutherford County? What about the people who aren’t counted in the state’s data (like independent contractors)?
Short answer: Employers need to pay higher wages to keep up with inflation.
Long answer: Decreasing unemployment in rural areas requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses various economic, social, and infrastructural challenges unique to these regions. Here are several strategies that can help:
Promote Rural Entrepreneurship: Encourage entrepreneurship by providing support for small businesses and startups in rural areas. This can be achieved through financial incentives, business development services, and access to credit and capital.
Invest in Infrastructure: Improve infrastructure such as roads, transportation, telecommunications, and energy facilities to connect rural areas with urban centers and markets. Better infrastructure can attract businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Support Agriculture and Agribusiness: Invest in modernizing agricultural practices, providing training and education for farmers, and supporting agribusiness ventures such as food processing and value-added agricultural products. This can create employment opportunities throughout the agricultural value chain.
Promote Rural Industries: Identify and support industries with potential for growth in rural areas, such as renewable energy, eco-tourism, forestry, and handicrafts. Provide training, incentives, and infrastructure to attract investments and create jobs in these sectors.
Improve Access to Education and Skills Training: Enhance access to quality education and skills training programs tailored to the needs of rural communities. This can empower residents with the skills necessary to compete in the job market and support economic diversification.
Encourage Telecommuting and Remote Work: Promote telecommuting and remote work opportunities to leverage technology and enable rural residents to access employment opportunities beyond their immediate geographic area. This can be facilitated through investments in high-speed internet infrastructure and support for digital literacy.
Foster Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between government agencies, private sector entities, non-profit organizations, and community groups to implement targeted initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment in rural areas. Public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to maximize impact.
Address Healthcare and Social Services Needs: Improve access to healthcare, childcare, and other essential services in rural areas to enhance quality of life and attract residents and businesses. Healthy and well-supported communities are more attractive to employers and investors.
Facilitate Rural-Urban Linkages: Foster linkages between rural and urban economies through initiatives such as supply chain development, market access programs, and knowledge exchange networks. This can create opportunities for rural businesses to access larger markets and diversify their customer base.
Provide Targeted Financial Incentives: Offer targeted financial incentives such as tax breaks, grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans to businesses willing to locate or expand operations in rural areas. These incentives can help offset the costs associated with rural investment and job creation.
By implementing a combination of these strategies, policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders can work together to decrease unemployment and promote economic vitality in rural areas.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure area of western NC and beyond. This article is free to read due to generous support from founding member subscribers.
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