Utica Unemployment Rate Still High, But Resources are Available to Help the Unemployed

The White House is painting a not-so-rosy picture of our employment numbers.  The unemployment rate in the U.S. is 9.1%.  Unlike earlier predictions, that's where they say it'll stay for the rest of the year.  And like the rest of the nation, unemployment is still a problem in Utica, where the unemployment rate in the Utica/Rome area is now at 7.5%.

The State Labor Department's Mark Barbano says this is the highest it's ever been in the area.  He said the decline began at the end of 2008, and has stayed basically the same since then.

Barbano says it's a seasonal thing--in the summer the rates are lowest, and should continue to creep down into the beginning of the school year.  And unfortunately for an area hit hard by the winter, the rate usually increases in the colder months.  He says employment in the construction and manufacturing industries have declined the most. 

Although the unemployment rate is at its highest in Utica, there are places out there to help--like Working Solutions in the State Office Building.  There are people that can help with resume building and the overall job search.  Working Solutions is located in the state office building, on 207 Genesee Street.

Despite high rates, Barbano says employment in the health and finance industries continues to grow.