Clinton County Unemployment Rate Moves to 7.6 Percent

RecordStaffApril 29, 2020Last Updated: April 29, 2020

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First Quality continues an employment bright spot in Clinton County. Its facilities in Castanea and Wayne Townships have remained in full operation through the coronavirus pandemic.

HARRISBURG – The state Department of Labor and Industry on Wednesday released the March unemployment figures and those numbers show Clinton County is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county’s jobless rate went from 5.1 percent in March of 2019 to 7.6 percent this March.

The county has 17,000 working and 1,400 unemployed, as of March. A year ago the employment level was 17,300 with 900 unemployed. This year’s 7.6 percent March jobless rate is believed the highest for the county since the same 7.6 percent rate in April of 2014. It is expected that local and regional rates to be released in late May, will go higher as late March/April claims are factored in.

Asked to comment, Clinton County Economic Partnership CEO Mike Flanagan said, “These numbers don’t surprise but still an estimated 300 Clinton County residents became unemployed in March, and that number, unfortunately, will only go up as the coronavirus continues to hammer the economy. The good news is that many of our large manufacturers have continued to operate as essential businesses.”

Other Labor Market area unemployment rates in March include: State College, 4.6%; Williamsport, 6.9%; Cameron County, 9.4%; Potter County, 9.3%.