Image by TheDigitel A North Charleston job rally back in June 2009.
South Carolina's unemployment seems to be a bad news bear that knows no bounds.
Read more stories on this subject in our unemployment topic page.Today, January 22, the State Employment Security Commission reported that the rate hit 12.6% in December -- up 0.3% points from November 2009.
Despite a 6,720 dip in the count of the state's workforce, overall unemployment rose 6,352. National unemployment held steady at 10%.
"December’s labor force levels were the lowest since September, 2008, and we have seen unemployment reach record levels in South Carolina. A net increase in private sector job creation is our # 1 public policy problem, and a net increase in private job creation will be pivotal in reversing the trend in state’s unemployment rate” said Sam Foster, Interim Executive Director of the Commission.
Charleston County remained in a relatively strong position with 9.8% unemployment, the 3rd lowest in the state. Berkeley had the 37th highest at 10.9% and Dorchester was at 41 with 10.3%.
