Jobless rate here hits 11.6%

The jobless rate in Cherokee County rose again in November — to 11.6 percent.

That's up three-tenths of a percentage point from October, and even more from when the rate stood at 7 percent last year.

The S.C. Employment Security Commission reported there were 2,979 unemployed county residents last month.

A portion of the increase was likely the result of layoffs at Freightliner and part-time layoffs at other companies, said Joan Penland, area director of the Gaffney Workforce Center.

The number of local residents drawing jobless benefits is expected to climb again when Romeo Rim closes its plant this month, leaving more than 40 employees out of work.

The local figures mirrored the state's unemployment rate, which rose to 8.4 percent in November compared with 7.9 percent from the previous month.

The leisure and hospitality sector cut 7,800 positions and manufacturing lost 1,200 jobs in November, the S.C. Employment Security Commission's monthly report noted. Retailers added only 1,300 workers for the holiday season, well below the typical number of hires for this time of year, according to the commission report.

On the plus side, government added 2,700 jobs.

Neighboring Spartanburg and Union counties also saw a jump in their unemployment rates. Spartanburg County rose to 8.4 percent, up from 7.9 in October, while Union County's rate increased .6 percent to 12.9 percent.