Jobless rate lowest in six years

Tom Gardner

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 2:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada's unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent in May, a drop of 0.4 percent from April and the state's lowest jobless figure since 1994.

The figure also is 1.2 percent lower for the year and is 0.7 percent below the national rate of 4.1 percent.

Ironically, the robust economy has a downside for employers, according to Myla Florence, director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

"For many employers, the reality is that the healthier the economy and unemployment are, the harder staffing their businesses becomes," she said on Thursday.

While current and past percentages cannot be directly compared because of changes in calculation methodology, the department statement said that by any measure unemployment may be hovering around historic lows.

Reno had the lowest May number at 2.4 percent followed by Las Vegas at 3.4 percent and Carson City at 3.7 percent. The Elko area, where the mining industry is struggling with low gold prices, came in at 3.8 percent.

Florence said the rural economy is having its woes because of mining layoffs and closures.

"The Rosebud Mine is scheduled to close in August because its reserves have been depleted," she said. "That means another 75 mining industry workers will be looking for new jobs."

The Elko figures include gold-rich Elko and Eureka counties. Its rate has dropped from 4.5 percent in April and 5.4 percent in May 1999.

Las Vegas, which includes Clark and Nye counties in Nevada and Mohave County in Arizona, saw its jobless rate decline from 3.8 percent in April and 4.4 percent a year earlier. Washoe County slipped from 2.8 percent in April and 3.8 percent a year before.

Carson City, which consists of the state capital and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties, was at 4.4 percent in April and 5.5 percent in May 1999.

Other rural counties are summarized quarterly and were not included in Thursday's report.