By Jim Owen

The official unemployment rate in Grant County was 7.5 percent in August, down slightly from the previous month. The figure was the same as that reported for August 2013.

Out of a labor force of 11,580 residents, 863 were actively looking for jobs last month, according to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. The numbers were 908 of 11,599 in July, and 877 of 11,651 in August a year ago.

Grant County had the 10th-highest jobless rate in New Mexico last month. In the southern half of the state, only Luna County (with 12.8 percent unemployment) was worse.

Among current job listings in the county are multiple positions at Gila Regional Medical Center, Hidalgo Medical Services and the state personnel office in Silver City. United Parcel Service is looking for a driver, and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. needs an inventory controller at the Tyrone Mine.

Zia Publishing is seeking a sales-force leader, Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services is hiring an advocacy and crisis coordinator, and the town of Silver City needs a planning technician and police officer. Pizza Hut, Family Dollar and the Aaron's store in Bayard also had open positions at last report.

In Catron County, the jobless rate was 5.7 percent in August, when 88 people (out of a labor force of 1,552) were counted as unemployed. That compared with 90 of 1,582 (5.7 percent) in July, and 90 of 1,593 (5.6 percent) in August 2013.

Hidalgo County's rate dropped from 6.9 percent in July to 6.1 percent last month. It was 5.7 percent a year ago. The unemployment statistics in Sierra County were 5.6 percent last month, 6 percent in July and 5.7 percent in August 2013.

Statewide, 6.9 percent of the labor force was unemployed in August, down from 7.3 percent the previous month but the same as a year ago. The national figures were 6.1 percent in August, 6.2 percent in July and 7.2 percent in August 2013.

Official rates include only workers who have registered at state unemployment offices. The numbers do not include residents who are looking for work on their own, those who have given up searching, part-time employees or the under-employed.

The department reported:

"The rate of over-the-year job growth for nonfarm payroll employment, comparing August 2014 with August 2013, was 0.6 percent, representing a gain of 4,600 jobs. The current round of net job gains started in June, after eight months of losses.

"Gains in seven industries offset losses in six others. Education and health services led all industries, with an increase of 6,100 jobs (5 percent) over the year. Job growth continued to advance in financial activities, with an increase of 2,200 jobs (6.6 percent)."

Officials noted that retail trade added 1,600 jobs from August 2013 to the same month this year. The industry has shown "consistent growth since September 2011, apart from two neutral months and one negative month in 2013," the department's monthly report stated.

It continued: "Mining employment was up 1,400 (5.3 percent); transportation, warehousing and utilities, up 600; information, up 400; and leisure and
hospitality, up 100.

"The remaining five private-sector industries reported losses. Manufacturing lost 3,000 jobs (10 percent). Employment in professional and business services was down 2,400 jobs (2.4 percent).

"Miscellaneous other services lost 800 jobs (2.7 percent). Wholesale trade lost 400 jobs, representing a decline of 1.8 percent. Construction employment was down by 300 jobs (0.7 percent).

"Government employment registered a net (decline) of 900 jobs since August of last year, representing a 0.5 percent decline, with losses reported at the federal and state levels. Employment in federal government fell by 1,000 jobs (3.3 percent), while state government was down by 100 jobs (0.2 percent). Local government reported a gain of 200 jobs (0.2 percent) from last yearÆs employment level."