By Andy East
The number of Bartholomew County workers filing new jobless claims has remained steady over the past week, state figures show.
A total of 104 local workers filed initial unemployment claims last week, down one from the week before but significantly lower than 1,845 the week ending April 11, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Additionally, a total of 1,350 Bartholomew County workers were drawing jobless benefits the week ending Sept. 5, down from 1,417 the week before, but still lower than the 5,039 workers receiving benefits the week ending May 2.
However, the number of workers seeking jobless aid across the state increased last week for the fourth consecutive week, according to state figures.
Last week, 13,851 workers in Indiana filed initial unemployment claims, up from 11,255 the previous week and 10,597 the week ending Aug. 22.
The latest round of jobless figures come as the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported that the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.4% in August, down from 7.9% in July and 17.1% in April.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
