By James T. Hammond
jhammond@scbiznews.com
Published May 21, 2010

South Carolina’s unemployment rate declined for the third straight month to 11.6 % in April, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce reported today.

The national jobless rate increased 0.2 percentage points in April to 9.9%.

All of South Carolina’s counties recorded falling jobless rates, but the highest unemployment remained entrenched in rural counties. Marlboro County led with a 19.5% jobless rate, down two percentage points from 21.5% in March.

Beaufort, where the tourism season is getting under way, posted the lowest jobless rate, at 7.3%, down 1.5 points from 8.8% in March. Lexington followed with 7.4%, down 1 percentage point from March.

Richland County’s jobless rate shrank 1.2 percentage points in April to 8.6%.

Also in the tourism zone, Charleston’s jobless rate was 8.2%, down 1.2 points from 9.4% in March. Horry County’s unemployment rate dropped sharply, down 2.3 percentage points to 10.9% in April.

Elsewhere in the Lowcountry, Berkeley County was down 1.2 points to 9.1%, while Dorchester was down 1.1 points to 8.5%.

In the Upstate, Greenville had the lowest jobless rate, down 1.2 percentage points to 9.0% in April from 10.2% in March. Spartanburg’s rate was 10.8%, down 1.4 percentage points from March. Anderson was at 10.7%, down from 12.3% in March.

The latest jobs report supports the view of economists who assert that the Great Recession is coming to an end.

“There are strong indications that manufacturing output is growing,” said Bruce Yandle, dean emeritus of the Clemson University School of Business and author of a monthly economic report. “We have seven successive positive marks on the Purchasing Managing Index. Also, there is a small increase in manufacturing employment for the nation in April. Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics diffusion index shows 60% of more than 200 industries expanding.”

“The corner has been turned, from a very low level,” Yandle said.

Yandle said great uncertainties remain for workers, however.

“Once recessions have bottomed, employers delay hiring full-time workers until they are relatively confident that making a permanent hire is a safe thing to do,” Yandle said.  “Before bringing back a shift or adding permanent workers, employers first increase the number of hours worked each week. They then hire temporary workers.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina’s labor force – employed plus unemployed persons – declined by 6,272 in April to 2,167,544.

“The drop in the labor force was attributed to a sharp decline in the number of unemployed as fewer people lost their jobs in April and fewer people entered the labor force to look for jobs,” the state agency said. “The drop in the unemployed estimate (-14,648) was partially offset by a modest increase in total employment.”

A separate survey showed the number of nonfarm jobs increasing by 13,000 in April, with increases in most major industry divisions. Seasonal gains, mostly tourist-related, were recorded in retail trade (+1,800), leisure and hospitality (+8,800), and professional and business services (+3,400).

Government posted a gain of 1,900, and manufacturing registered a slight gain of 500 jobs. Declines were noted in construction jobs (-2,800) over the month, as well as in educational and health services (-600).

John Finan, executive director of the newly formed Department of Employment and Workforce, said, “We are encouraged by this positive news and remain focused on putting South Carolinians back to work.”