October unemployment figures released

Unemployment figures dropped in October to 10.7 percent according to the latest report from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. The news has been called encouraging by Director John Finan who says it’s a movement in the right direction.

The state’s unemployment rate is still higher than the national rate which remained unchanged at 9.6 percent. South Carolina’s unemployment rate peaked in January at 12.5 percent.

Construction led the rebound adding 2,700 new jobs last month. Manufacturing and retail hiring for the upcoming holidays has also been strong.

Lexington County remained at the bottom of the list with a 7.6 percent unemployment rate in the state; Richland County also was near the bottom at 9.1 percent.  Marion and Allendale were above 17 percent.