By Jim Owen

The official unemployment rate in Grant County was 6.7 percent last month, about the same as the 6.6 percent reported for October but down from 7.8 percent in July. It was 6.9 percent in November 2013.

Out of a labor force of 11,848 residents, 799 were actively looking for jobs last month, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reported Friday. The numbers were 778 of 11,784 in October, and 814 of 11,862 in November a year ago.

Grant County tied with Catron and Dona Ana counties for the 10th-highest jobless rate in the state last month. In the southern half of New Mexico, only Luna County's state-leading 16.2 percent was worse.

The number of online job openings in Grant County increased from 406 in October 2013 to the same month this year, according to the department.

Among the employers looking for workers, at last report, were CVS Pharmacy, Wagner Equipment Co., the state personnel office in Fort Bayard, Wells Fargo, Boutique Air, Gila Regional Medical Center, Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Co., Zia Publishing, the Silver City Police Department and Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services.

In Catron County, the jobless rate was 6.7 percent in November, when 103 people (out of a labor force of 1,527) were counted as unemployed. That compared with 86 of 1,546 (5.6 percent) in October, and 97 of 1,538 (6.3 percent) in November 2013.

Hidalgo County's rate rose from 5.1 percent in October to 5.6 percent last month. It was 5.7 percent a year ago. The unemployment statistics in Sierra County were 5.5 percent last month, 4.9 percent in October and 5.6 percent in November 2013.

Statewide, 6.2 percent of the labor force was unemployed in November, up from 5.9 percent the previous month but similar to the 6.3 percent reported a year ago. The national figures were 5.5 percent in November, 5.8 percent in October and 7 percent in November 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 November 2014 with November 2013, was 1.7 percent, representing a gain of 14,100 jobs. Net job gains have increased substantially since turning positive in June 2014, with this month's total nonfarm employment increase exceeding that of all previous post-recessionary months.

"Growth also broadened, with gains in 10 industries far outweighing losses in three others. Education and health services continued to lead other industries, with an increase of 6,100 jobs, or 4.9 percent, over the year. This month's over-the-year employment gain in the industry was the highest since December 2002.

"Mining posted its highest rate of growth since May 2013. Employment was up 2,100 jobs, or 8 percent, making it the second-highest contributor to growth this month.

"Retail trade's growth in November was back up to a level similar to the higher over-the-year gains seen earlier in the year, adding 1,900 jobs, or 2 percent. Financial activities grew by 1,400 jobs, or 4.1 percent, over the year, which is somewhat lower than gains in more recent months.

"Miscellaneous other services continued to show encouraging signs, adding 1,300 jobs, or 4.7 percent, over the year. Information; transportation, warehousing and utilities; and leisure and hospitality each added 900 jobs. Construction, up 700 jobs after nine months of negative growth; and wholesale trade, up 400 jobs, contributed smaller increases.

"The remaining two private-sector industries each reported losses. Manufacturing was down by 1,500 jobs, or 5.2 percent, a marginal improvement to heavier losses throughout the year. Employment within professional and business services was down 400 jobs, or 0.4 percent.

"Government employment registered a net loss of 600 jobs since November of last year, representing a 0.3 percent decline. Losses occurred at all three levels of government, with local government down 300 jobs, federal government down 200 jobs and state government down 100 jobs."