Yates is sixth in state for low unemployment

    TRI-COUNTY AREA—Unemployment is an issue at the national level, but some area counties are showing positive numbers.
    According to the New York State Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for Yates County was 6.2 percent, as of August 2011. This was the lowest rate so far this year, with the high point being 7.9 percent in January. This was also the lowest it has been since November of last year.
    The state also figures that the total number of unemployed people in Yates County equals 800. Yates County is ranked sixth in the state for low unemployment out of 62 counties. Only Hamilton, Saratoga, Tompkins, Ontario and Genesee Counties had lower unemployment rates.
    The unemployment rate in Schuyler County was 6.6 percent in August. This was also the lowest rate so far this year in the county. It was as high as 10.2 percent in January and February. The current rate of unemployment is the lowest it has been in Schuyler County since October and November of 2008. The state says 6.6 percent represents 700 Schuyler County people. Schuyler County ranked 13th, sharing the same unemployment rate with Herkimer, Livingston, and Washington Counties.
    In Steuben County, the unemployment rate was 8.3 percent, or 3,600 people. In August of 2010, the rate was 9.1 percent. Steuben County is ranked 52nd, with Richmond County. Chemung County is at 7.1 percent, which is the lowest it has been since 2008.
    Sherry Morse, business service coordinator for Yates County Workforce Development, explained unemployment is historically low in Yates County. Workforce Development works to provide a wide variety of activities to assist adults and dislocated workers through core, intensive and training services. She said more people are coming to the office looking for help in getting a job.
    Morse said some of the services Workforce Development offer include “Rapid Response,” which is where the department goes into a company that is firing multiple employees and helping those people get ready for the job search immediately. The department also offers workshops to help people work on resumes, change careers, exploring transferable skills, etc. Morse also said there is a five day workshop specifically designed for people who have been out of work for a long time.