Job Search News

New data shows that finding a job in Virginia has become more difficult recently. According to the state’s Employment Commission, 6.4 percent of Virginia’s population was without work in January, which was a .4 percent increase form the previous month. During the same month the national jobless rate was 7.6 percent.

Around 89,000 people in the state were drawing unemployment benefits during the first month of this year. This was an increase of 32,000 new claimants in comparison to December.

This is the highest unemployment rate the state has had since June of 1992, which was almost 17 years ago. At this time, approximately 8.5 percent of the country was without work.

Although this number may already sound bad enough, experts say it is not as high as it probably should be. According to Forbes.com and The Associated Press, this data does not include information on those who have been so discouraged about finding Virginia jobs that they have stopped seeking employment altogether. Since many of these individuals are no longer eligible for unemployment benefits, they are not taken into consideration.

“Generally speaking, if you added those in it would add about 2 percent to the unemployment rate,” said The Commission’s chief economist William F. Mezger to a reporter for The Associated Press.

Currently unemployment is the highest in Danville, Virginia, where somewhere around 14 percent of the population cannot find work. Only one month prior only 11.1 percent of the area was jobless. Since Danville’s economy is strongly influenced by the state of the manufacturing industry, the employment situation was already not the best. Then the area’s largest employer, Goodyear, did away with 400 Virginia jobs.

Arlington County had the lowest jobless rate at 3.7 percent. This is no surprise considering the large number of government jobs in the area. Arlington was the only county in Virginia that had an unemployment rate below 5 percent. Despite this, jobless rose .6 percent between December and January in this part of the state.

According the Commission, no area of employment seemed safe from the effects of the recession. Between December and January all sectors lost jobs. Even the healthcare services industry, which has been the one bright spot in the nation’s economy, failed to perform in Virginia at the beginning of this year. Since many experts believe the economy and labor market won’t begin to improve for sometime, data will likely show continual rises in joblessness for the foreseeable future.

Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that fitness company Nautilus, Inc. will invest $1.7 million to expand in Grayson County. The company, which will expand its manufacturing operation to add a cardio exercise equipment line, will create 60 jobs.Virginia successfully competed with Oregon and China for the project.
“Nautilus has been a major employer in Grayson County for 33 years,” Governor Kaine said. “The success of Virginia’s existing businesses is more crucial than ever in these times of economic downturn and I am thrilled to bring good news of jobs and investment.”

Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Nautilus, Inc. is a global fitness products company providing innovative, quality solutions to help people achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle. With a brand portfolio including Nautilus(R), Bowflex(R), Schwinn(R)Fitness, StairMaster(R) and Universal(R), Nautilus manufactures and markets innovative fitness products through global direct, commercial and retail channels. Formed in 1986, the company had 2007 sales of $502 million. It has 1,100 employees and operations in Washington, Oregon, Virginia, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, China and other locations around the world.

“Nautilus has had manufacturing operations in Virginia since 1975. We are pleased to be able to partner with the state and local agencies to expand our presence in Grayson County and bring even more jobs to Virginia,” said Tim Joyce, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Nautilus.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Grayson County and Virginia’s aCorridor to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $50,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Grayson County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $100,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“In these difficult economic times, it’s critical to have a workforce that employers have confidence in, and the employees of Nautilus in Grayson County more than meet the high standards required,” said Mike Maynard, Chairman of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors. “It’s their work and commitment that have made this decision possible.”

William Wampler, member of the Virginia Tobacco Commission and Virginia StateSenator said, “Of the many investments made by the Tobacco Commission, none are more meaningful than those made in companies like Nautilus which bring jobs and capital tosouthwestern Virginia communities. The Commission is pleased to make $100,000 available to ensure the success of this valuable corporate citizen.”