Unfortunately, the 5.1 percent unemployment rate is still up considerably compared to the 4 percent rate posted 12 months earlier, according to Carla Gross, operations manager for the Workforce Solutions Permian Basin.

“The latest December figures received from the Texas Workforce Commission show that Texas' seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment fell by 25,700 jobs,” said Gross. “However, Texas employers have added 153,600 jobs over the past 12 months compared to nationwide job losses of 2.6 million. The December statewide unemployment rate increased to 6 percent, up slightly from 5.7 percent in November and 4.3 percent a year ago.

“The Texas unemployment rate consistently remains below the U.S. unemployment rate of 7.2 percent.  Occupations adding the most jobs in December include leisure and hospitality, and other services which include automotive, electronic and commercial repair and maintenance.”

And while the slight decrease in employment in Howard County between November and December is certainly welcome news among a floundering national economy, Gross said there's still room for improvement.

“The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continues to experience the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.1 percent,” said Gross, “while Amarillo and Lubbock (MSAs) comes in second at 3.8 percent and Odessa third at 3.9 percent.”

Most other area counties managed to come in under the Howard County rate, with Midland, 3.1 percent; Ector, 3.9 percent; Martin, 3.5 percent; Dawson, 5.5 percent; Borden, 4.4 percent; Glasscock, 3.4 percent; Andrews, 3.3 percent; and Upton, 3.3 percent.

Gross said the number of employed residents in the Permian Basin area has seen a jump since this time last year.

“The Permian Basin Workforce Development Area’s current unemployment rate is 3.8 percent,” said Gross. “Within the Permian Basin Workforce Development Area, there are 194,697 employed individuals, up from last year’s figure of 192,495.”

In Howard County the civilian labor force decreased from 14,732 in November to 14,604 in December, a healthy increase from the 14,056 posted in December 2007. The number of employed residents also decreased, with 13,968 posted in November and 13,860 tabulated in December, also a healthy jump over the 13,493 counted in December 2007.

The number of unemployed residents in Howard County fell, however, with 764 reported in November and 744 counted in December. However, this year's numbers show a pronounced increase over last year's 563 reported in December 2007.

For more information on employment opportunities in the local area, contact Linda Jacquez or Gross at (432) 263-8373, or visit the local TWC office at 501 S. Main, Suite 235, located on the second floor of the Post Office.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it