RICHMOND —
Madison County is among the top 10 Kentucky counties with the lowest unemployment rate, according to a release issued Thursday by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
As of April, Madison County’s unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, compared to 9 percent in April, 2009. That is 1.6 percent less than the state’s overall unemployment rate of 10.1 percent.
Unemployment rates fell in 93 Kentucky counties between May 2009 and May 2010, according to the release.
Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 7.7 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 7.8 percent; Oldham County, 8 percent; Calloway County, 8.1 percent; Franklin County, 8.3 percent; Boyd County, 8.5 percent; and Ballard, Madison, McCracken and Robertson counties, 8.6 percent each.
Richmond’s recent retail growth and stable base of industrial factories could play a role in the county’s lower jobless rate.
The story of retail development in Madison County over the past few years begins and ends with Richmond Centre, the open-air shopping complex still under development along Interstate 75.
Discount store chain Meijer opened in May and department store chain Belk opened an anchor store on the opposite end of the facility near clothing retailer T.J. Maxx.
Along with new businesses, several retailers chose to move their stores from the Richmond Mall to Richmond Centre. Mall anchor stores JCPenney and Goody’s closed their mall locations in favor of larger stores in Richmond Centre, and theater operator Cinemark constructed a new 12-screen movie house in Richmond Centre while continuing to operate their Richmond Mall location as a discount theater. Other stores that left the mall in favor of Richmond Centre include Deb, RadioShack, Hibbett Sports and Hastings.
About 50 industrial factories are located in Richmond, and Berea has about 30, according to a working document of all industries within the county maintained by Richmond Industrial Development Director Jimmy Howard.
The latest large industrial development in Richmond continues to be the Wisconsin-based Sub-Zero/Wolf, which makes luxury kitchen appliances.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased from 9.9 percent in April 2010 to 9.7 in May 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
“Since May 2009, Kentucky’s nonfarm employment has advanced by 12,900 professionals,” said Justine Detzel, chief labor market analyst for the Office of Employment and Training. “This marks the first year-over-year increase in nonfarm employment since February 2008, ending a string of 26 months in a row of year-over-year employment losses.”
It previously was reported that the plant will be hiring approximately 100 people.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 19.1 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 17.4 percent; Menifee County, 17 percent; Metcalfe County, 14.8 percent; Powell County, 14.4 percent; Fulton and Grayson counties, 13.9 percent each; McCreary County, 13.8 percent; Wolfe County, 13.6 percent; and Morgan County, 13.5 percent.
Visit www.workforce.ky.gov for more unemployment statistics for Kentucky and Madison County.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
Local News
Jobless rate falls in Madison County
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Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
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Habitat for Humanity
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“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
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Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. -
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Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states. -
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue. -
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
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