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SAN ANTONIO MSA

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Alamo WorkSource is committed to providing access to timely, accurate and relevant labor market information. Our staff regularly analyzes local economic and labor market information, examining industry and occupation growth trends, wage data, labor force information, economic indicators, etc.

Knowing about economic and labor market conditions is the foundation for Workforce and economic development efforts. It can help employers gain an understanding of the competition and what it takes to find and keep quality, skilled employees.

UNEMPLOYMENT HOLDS STEADY IN DECEMBER
Alamo region remains the same while state and nation see increases in unemployment rate

(January 22, 2010) San Antonio, Texas – Workforce Solutions Alamo released information today indicating that the San Antonio economy held steady in December as the unemployment rate registered again at 6.8 percent. The year ended with total Nonagricultural Employment in the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) yielding an annual job decline of -9,000 jobs or -1.1 percent. Between November and December, robust hiring by area Retailers did add 1,300 jobs, mostly due to seasonal hiring as area retailers prepared for the holiday season, but was offset by losses in other industries for a total loss of 500 jobs over the month.

“The Alamo region continued to remain steady as the State and the Nation saw job losses and increases in unemployment in December,” said Chakib Chehadi, Workforce Solutions Alamo’s Executive Director. “The diversity of the Alamo region’s economy yields job growth in some industries when others are struggling, and vice-versa. Financial activities, hospitality and local government all ended the year with positive annual job growth.”

Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities recovered from last month’s employment drop with a gain of 200 jobs. Financial Activities added 100 jobs and gained 100 jobs since December 2008, an annual growth rate of 0.2 percent. Education and Health Services lost 600 jobs over the month and the same amount over the year for an annual growth rate of -0.5 percent. While unemployment in Leisure and Hospitality decreased over the month, the industry posted a positive annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, an addition of 1,200 jobs to the Alamo region. Other Service lost 200 jobs and gained 400 since the same time 2008, an annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. Government added 100 jobs and gained 3,700 jobs since December 2008 for an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent giving the Alamo region the largest over the year growth rate of any industry sector.

When the 12-county Workforce Solutions Alamo area is compared to the state and nation, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate increased to 8.0 percent in December, up from 7.9 percent reported in November. The nation’s unemployment rate increased to 9.7 percent, up from 9.4 percent reported in November. Comparatively, the state and the nation released seasonally adjusted unemployment rates, with the state reporting an increase to 8.3 percent while the nation remained the same at 10.0 percent for the month of December.

The mission of Workforce Solutions Alamo is to build a premier workforce in America by providing employers and residents with the opportunities, resources and services to develop and gain a competitive edge in the global economy. Workforce Solutions Alamo reaches over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in the City of San Antonio and the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Gillespie, Karnes, Kerr, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. For more information on available workforce programs and services, visit our website at www.workforcesolutionsalamo.org.

*The San Antonio MSA is comprised of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson counties.