County unemployment claims increase

HARRISBURG, PA – Clinton County residents showed an increase in initial and continued unemployment claims for the week ending May 8, according to information released Thursday by the state Department of Labor & Industry.

Initial claims were 84, up from the 68 filings for the week ending May 1. A majority of the new filers were male, and 18% were in the construction field. The continued claims were 589, up slightly from a week ago. Males accounted for 52% of the continued claims, and 18% were in the construction field. The most recent claim numbers are still well below figures from early April.

The state reports that eight county residents had jobless benefits expire as of May 8. That brings the yearly total to 477 people who have exhausted their benefits.

April unemployment rates listed by county should be available around June 1. Clinton County had a 7.2% unemployment rate in March.