Schuyler experiences gains in labor force

Nov 09, 2010 at 03:14 pm by Observer-Review


SCHUYLER COUNTY
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Schuyler experiences gains in labor force

SCHUYLER COUNTY—Over the last 10 years the labor force in Schuyler County has grown, even though the population hasn’t shown similar increases.
According to Kelsey Jones, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development executive director,  the labor force increased to 10,00 in 2009, up from 8,900 in 1999.
“This is a significant growth in the labor force with a population of only about 19,200 people in the county,” said Jones.  “The population has not increased proportionally in that same time period but the economic growth has resulted in importation of commuters from neighboring counties to fill those jobs.”
During the same 1999 to 2009 time frame, he said Chemung and Steuben County work forces decreased.  Jones specifically contributed the Schuyler labor force increase to new agricultural, manufacturing, and tourism businesses.
“Historically, both Chemung and Steuben Counties and the state often had better unemployment numbers than Schuyler County,” added Jones.
However, the latest unemployment numbers for Sept. 2010, show Schuyler with 6.7 percent.  Chemung County had 7.6 percent, Steuben County was 8.6 percent, and the overall state average was 8.3 percent.
The per capita personal income for Schuyler County is also ranked 45th out of 62 New York state counties.  Jones said Schuyler ranked 57th in 2000.
“The numbers indicate we have made improvements, but we have further to go and projects to tackle,” said Jones. 

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