Jobless rate hits record high in November

By Cy Ryan (contact)

Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 | 10:41 a.m.

CARSON CITY – The jobless rate in the Las Vegas area hit a record high of 7.9 percent in November as employment in construction, manufacturing and casinos fell.

It surpasses the previous high of 7.5 percent set in June 1992 and October this year.

“Nevada’s unemployment rate is indicative of the nation’s failing economy and there’s very little optimism that things will turn around soon,” says Bill Anderson, chief economist for the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The statewide jobless rate rose to 8 percent for the first time since February 1984. The rate was 7.5 percent in October.

Anderson said, “The construction industry continues to struggle having lost 15,900 jobs (statewide) over the year, and despite the planned opening of the Encore in Las Vegas and the new jobs it represents, the casino hotel and gaming industry has shed 5,100 from a year ago.

The department reported 80,500 people were jobless in Clark County, an increase of 60.4 percent from the same month a year ago. And there were 3,500 more out of work in November than in October in Southern Nevada.

Total employment in Southern Nevada fell to 935,000, or 1,400 less than in October. And there were 16,000 fewer employed this November than the same month a year ago.

The department said construction employment in Clark County fell to 90,400 workers, a drop of 8.8 percent compared to a year ago. And there were 1,500 fewer construction workers on the job in November than the previous month.

In hotels and gaming, employment dipped to 171,300 in November or 1.3 percent less than a year ago and 1,000 fewer workers than in October this year in the Las Vegas area.

One bright spot was in trade, transportation and utilities, where there were 166,500 workers, up 2,200 from October. Government workers inched up to 106,900 in November, 200 more than the previous month.

Anderson said the state’s economy in November shed 2,700 jobs from October and 15,300 from a year ago.

Unemployment in the Reno-Sparks area rose from 7.2 percent in October to 7.8 percent in November; Carson City’s rate increased from 7.5 percent to 8.1 percent in November and Elko’s rate inched up from 4.1 percent in October to 4.4 percent in November.

Cy Ryan may be reached at (775) 687 5032 or cy@lasvegassun.com.