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By CASEY RYAN VOCK
PLATTSBURGH — Newly released unemployment statistics for the North Country set the gloomy scene that is the local job market.
For January, Clinton County's unemployment rate was 10.9 percent, according to Alan Beideck, a regional labor economist for the State Department of Labor Division of Research and Statistics.
"That is the highest we've had in almost 20 years for the month of January," Beideck said. "That's the highest for the month since 1992."
The rate in Clinton County in January 2009 was 9.7 percent.
Essex County's unemployment rate for January of this year was 10.9 percent, the county's highest for that month since 1999, according to Beideck.
The rate for Essex County in January 2009 was 10.5 percent.
In Franklin County, the unemployment rate for January was 10.1 percent, up from 9.7 in the same month the prior year. That rate is the same as it was for the county in February 2009 when, Beideck said, it hit its worst rate in recent years.
Beideck pointed out that, during January, retail trade and construction are usually down, which could contribute to the figures. But they still command attention.
"I think it's the first time since the recession started where we have been higher than both the state and national figure," said Paul Grasso, executive director of the North Country Workforce Investment Board.
"We are always 18 months behind the rest of the country going into (a recession), and we're usually about 18 months coming out of it."
"These numbers are obviously unwelcome," said Garry Douglas, president of the Plattsburgh-North Country Champlain Chamber of Commerce.
"However, we remain optimistic that the area is well-positioned for future growth."
The chamber recently surveyed 3,200 employers in the region, who, Douglas said, indicated "a strong expectation that their business activity will be up this year compared to last.
"That confidence that things will turn around bodes well for job growth in the medium term."
It will likely take time, however, before hiring will pick up locally, Douglas said.
"Unfortunately, there will be a lag before we see that."
The North Country, Douglas pointed out, tends to avoid the impact that might be felt in other regions during an economic downturn.
"For example, on the retail side, because we have such a strong influence by shoppers from Canada and the Canadian dollars coming in from outside of the area, we tend to be insulated from the impact on unemployment levels in retail or on sales-tax revenue that you might see in other areas."
The Canadian influence on the local economy, Douglas said, is a good indicator for things to come.
"Our connection with Montreal remains strong. And there is an exchange rate that is strongly in favor of Canadian spending here this summer."
Economic development continues to be active in the region, according to Douglas, and the chamber expects to see future growth in the transportation sector.
"We are well-positioned, but that certainly does not ease the pain of those going through the challenges of unemployment.
"And certainly none of us will be happy until we see those (unemployment) numbers significantly reduced."
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