KOAM TV 7 Joplin and Pittsburg News Weather SportsNational unemployment numbers increase but local numbers decrease
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By ELIZABETH MATTHEWS
JOPLIN, MO. - While the nation as a whole sees an increase in unemployment, the Joplin metro area is below that national average and is actually falling.
Joplin's unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 8.3% from August to September.
Jasen Jones of the Missouri Workforce Investment Board says the Four States is getting through the bad economy due to some strong sectors.
"We have less activity in the automotive sector which was hit much harder level nationwide and we are starting to see a lot of activity in terms of companies inquiring about hiring again," Jones says.
Jones says Joplin's industries are keeping the community alive.
"We do have some insulation with the diversification of our economy - there are some sectors that remain very strong."
Jones says some industries are booming in the Four States and have made it through the tough economic times hiring many new employees, including the manufacturing and customer service industries.
"Individuals may be eating out less and buying more groceries - well - a lot of those grocery products are manufactured or processed here in the Four States area," Jones explains. "And the customer service sector also a very much a national type of sector you look at companies like Aegis and AT&T, they are doing business well outside the Four States."
David Curtis is the Director at Aegis Communications Group and says they have hired 300 employees since the summer and may be looking to hire more at the beginning of the year.
Curtis explains they are succeeding because "we have some clients that are actually not truly impacted by the economy."
The CEO of the American Ramp Company, Jim Moss, says their business is in a similar situation.
Moss says their business deals with global clients who have not been hit by the bad economy.
While American Ramp Company strives to go global they want their manpower coming from Joplin.
"We would rather send out local labor from our pool here," Moss says.
The skateboarding ramp manufacturer added nearly 30 jobs in the past year and is looking to hire about a dozen more.
Jones, of of the Missouri Workforce Investment Board, says the Joplin area has survived the bad economy and he predicts it will begin to regain strength.
"The sectors look very promising and the growth should continue for the Joplin metro," Jones says.
