California Business Minute™

The California Workforce Association, CWA is a non profit
organization that formulates public policy strategies and
builds local capacity to address critical workforce issues.
CWA works to promote, enhance and serve the interest of
local workforce development.

For further information, contact us  www.calworkforce.org
or at 916 325-1610

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

California‘s unemployment continues to decrease has unemployment dropped by
0.2 percent to 12.2 percent for February according to the Employment Development
Department, (EDD).  This is also 0.2 percent lower than from the unemployment rate
in February 2010

Ten categories (mining and logging; construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation
and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services;
educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added
jobs over the month, gaining 97,700 jobs. This was an increase of two categories from
January.  One category, government declined this month, down 1,200 jobs.

The recent EDD figures illustrate that 54 out of the 58 counties in the state are in
excess of the national unemployment level of 8.9 percent for February 2011 based upon
seasonally adjusted figures. This is one less county from January. 

Marin County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 7.8 percent dropping
from 8.2 percent last month.   It is followed by Mono County at 8.1 percent; San Mateo
County at 8.3 percent and Orange County at 8.9 percent. Meanwhile, Colusa County
continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the state at 27.1 percent down
from 27.5 in January.  It is followed by Imperial County at 26.9 which increased 1.8
percent over the month.  Unfortunately it is joined by six other counties that are
all in excess of 20 percent unemployment. These include Sutter, 22.4; Merced 21.3;
San Benito 20.9; Siskiyou 20.7; Plumas 20.2 and Trinity 20.3. Yuba County and Lake
County are close behind at 19.5 and 19.2 respectively.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.