By MONA NAIR
6 News Reporter
ONEIDA (WATE) – New numbers show that Scott County's unemployment rate is getting worse.
Figures that came out Thursday show the rate hit 21.7% in July. That's up from 18.6% from the month before.
While Scott County has been in the news for a while as having the highest unemployment rate in the state, the second highest county rate is quite a bit lower, at 16%. And just three months ago in April, Scott County's rate was only 15.4%.
As you drive into the county, there are several vacant buildings that once housed businesses.
The Tennessee Career Center is the only employment agency in Scott County. Center manager Tom Payne says it does a lot to help. There are several free resources including a digital billboard that displays the latest job postings.
Payne attributes the most recent spike in numbers to the closure of Scott County Hospital.
"There were over 200 people who lost their jobs in May. The way the Department of Labor Statistics works, it takes a while for that to show up," Payne explained.
Teddy King was visiting the career center Friday and filling out employment forms. His story is a common one in the area. After working as a mechanic for 16 years, his company shut down in 2010.
King has five children. "It's tough because there are no jobs around here, none that pay anything. They pay $8 or $9 an hour. If you have a family, it's hard to make it," he said.
But Payne says there are signs of hope. The hospital is expected to reopen soon. Two local companies are set to expand. And a North Carolina paving company is relocating to the area.
In fact, King was at the center to apply for one of the 30 jobs being advertised. "Well I'm hoping to get in there. I don't know though, so many people are without work," he said.
6 News was told 400 people applied for those 30 openings. And based on the latest unemployment numbers, that's how things will stay for now.
"We're trying as hard as we can," Payne said.
Even though there's hope for the months ahead, Payne says unemployment numbers typically go up in the winter. That means it's likely there won't be significant improvement in Scott County unemployment until, perhaps, next summer.
As you drive into the county, there are several vacant buildings that once housed businesses.
"It's tough because there are no jobs around here, none that pay anything. They pay $8 or $9 an hour. If you have a family, it's hard to make it," Teddy King said.
