Posted: Monday, December 26, 2011 9:16 pm

From AP, staff reports
Obion County’s jobless rate is once again ranked among the highest in the state, for the fourth consecutive month.
The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development released its November unemployment report late last week. In that report, Obion County’s November 15.2 percent unemployment rate was the second highest in the state, again.
The 15.2 percent unemployment rate translates to 2,370 people out of work in Obion County in November.
Other neighboring counties also reported high jobless rates in November. Of the 10 counties in Tennessee with the highest November unemployment rates, five of the counties are located in West Tennessee.
In November, Weakley County’s jobless rate was 12.4 percent, Lake County’s jobless rate was 11 percent, Dyer County’s jobless rate was 12.3 percent and Gibson County’s jobless rate was 12.3 percent. Combined, the five-county area had 9,470 people unemployed in November.
Across the state, the unemployment rate decreased in 79 counties, increased in 12 counties and remained the same in four counties, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Obion, Weakley, Lake, Dyer and Gibson counties were among 41 counties in the state with a jobless rate of more than 10 percent.
The state jobless report comes on the heels of a new regional economic development strategy focused on job creation.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate in November dropped 0.4 percent to 9.1 percent, the lowest since January 2009.
Unemployment rates fell in 43 states in November, the most number of states to report such declines in eight years.
The falling state rates reflect the brightening jobs picture nationally. The U.S. unemployment rate fell sharply in November to 8.6 percent, the lowest since March 2009. The economy has generated 100,000 or more jobs five months in a row — the first time that’s happened since 2006, before the Great Recession.
Only three states reported higher unemployment rates in November, according to the Labor Department. Four states showed no change.
Nevada for the 18th straight month had the highest state unemployment rate: 13 percent. It was followed by California at 11.3 percent. North Dakota again enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate: 3.4 percent. It was followed by Nebraska at 4.1 percent and South Dakota at 4.3 percent.
The biggest decline in the unemployment rate in November compared with October was in Michigan. Its rate dropped by 0.8 percentage point to 9.8 percent, from 10.6 percent in October.
Alabama, Minnesota, South Carolina and Utah all reported declines of 0.6 percentage point in November from October.
Employers added jobs in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Employment decreased in 19 states and was unchanged in two. The largest month-over-month increases were in New York, up 29,500 jobs, and Texas, with a gain of 20,800.
The largest month-over-month decline occurred in Wisconsin, a drop of 14,600 payroll jobs.
The drop in unemployment rates in 43 states marked the most number of states to show declines since October 2003. Published in The Messenger 12.26.11