Wednesday, Oct 10 2012 5:22PM
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the number of jobs in rural counties failed to post significant improvements during August, according to the Daily Yonder.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the number of jobs in rural counties failed to post significant improvements during August, according to the Daily Yonder.
The unemployment rate in rural counties fell to 7.99 percent, the source indicates, while it dropped to 7.6 percent in exurban areas. Though down from July, when the rural rate reached 8.4 percent and the exurban was 8 percent, residents of rural communities continue to lack employment opportunities.
In Colorado, some rural counties experienced significant increases in jobless rates, including Crowley, which saw its rate jump to 10.5 percent from 7.9 percent in August last year. Another state county, Las Animas, had one of the country's highest unemployment rates at 11.5 percent, which is up from 9.4 percent the year before.
Despite numbers suggesting improvements to opportunities for those living in rural communities, a smaller workforce is more so the reason for the drop in rates.
Grants from programs such as the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development may help increase workforces in rural communities.
For further information, check out this source:
The Daily Yonder