New jobless numbers released by the state provided little good news for the Golden Triangle, with new evidence that unemployment continues to tighten its grip on the area.
Unemployment rates rose across the Golden Triangle in January, according to the state report that showed Clay County had the third-highest unemployment rate in the state. In Columbus, nearly one in five workers was unemployed, while Oktibbeha County joined the majority of Mississippi counties reporting double-digit unemployment.
Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties all experienced jumps in county unemployment rates for the month.
n In Lowndes, the January rate was 13.4 percent, compared to 11.6 percent in December 2009 and 10.1 percent in January 2009.
n Oktibbeha reported a 12 percent rate, compared to 9.4 percent in December 2009 and 8.3 percent in January 2009.
n In Clay County, the January rate was 21.2 percent, a jump from 19 percent in December and 16 percent compared to January 2009.
Among the 15 cities the state tracks in its labor report, Columbus has the highest unemployment rate. Columbus’ rate of 19.9 percent for January is up from 18 percent in December and 15.5 percent compared to January 2009. Southaven posted the lowest rate among Mississippi’s top 15 cities, with a 7.6 percent rate for January.
I have an idea! Let's require that parents spend money they don't have to buy their kids uniforms that aren't necessary. Put some squeeze on those financially strapped families. Makes perfect sense.
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