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Seasonally Adjusted Rate Unchanged from December 2009

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January was 10.7 percent, unchanged from the revised December rate of 10.7 percent. The January rate a year ago was 9.1 percent. The national unemployment rate for January 2010 was 9.7 percent, down from the December rate of 10 percent.

“The state unemployment rate is holding steady for the month of January,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “While the unemployment rate continues to be high in Tennessee, we did see a slight increase in employment (+3,400), and two of the three largest gains in employment were in the manufacturing industry.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
December 2009 to January 2010

According to the Business Survey, 200 job gains occurred in plastic and rubber products manufacturing; 200 in fabricated metal products manufacturing; and 200 in federal government. Major employment decreases occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, down by 18,100; leisure and hospitality declined by 11,100 jobs; and professional and business services decreased by 9,900.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
January 2009 to January 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 6,800; state government gained 1,100; manufacturing was down 31,800; trade transportation and utilities lost 28,800; and mining and construction decreased by 16,100.

Largest photo enforcement vendor reports that opposition groups have cut into company profits.

The number one speed camera and red light camera operator in the US today reported that its profits plunged by 32 percent in the first half of fiscal 2010, due in large measure to rising public discontent with automated enforcement. Redflex Traffic Systems told Australian shareholders that after adjusting for exchange rates, the company lost A$8 million, primarily as a result of citizen activists taking action against photo enforcement.

“The business, particularly in the US, has become more difficult over recent years, and the results reflect the influence of a range of adverse issues and circumstances on the business, including… the rise of opposition from various groups opposed to photo enforcement, resulting in challenges to programs through citizen initiated referenda,” a company statement explained. “A state wide ballot initiative [in Arizona] could result in negative impact.”

To date, citizen groups nationwide have succeeded in putting the question of photo enforcement on the ballot in nine cities. All nine voted to ban automated ticketing, with margins as high as 86 percent against the cameras (view list of cities). The largest citizen-led revolt so far is happening in the state of Arizona where the group CameraFraud.com has used a continual stream of protests, a Facebook page and other techniques to educate drivers that citations mailed from the program could be thrown away, unpaid. Only personally served notices are valid in the state. Redflex reported that the Arizona program so far has lost $4.9 million..

“Citation payment rates remain low due to the inability to achieve acceptable payment rates from violators,” the company explained. “Our push to reform the laws governing traffic enforcement with the Arizona Legislature and with the Arizona Supreme Court makes 2010 a critical year for our Company in Arizona…. Once corrective legislation is passed payment rates are expected to rise to the average historical payments rates typical for the Arizona business model.”

Discontent with photo ticketing has spread nationwide as politicians fear they may lose their jobs if they are responsible for bringing cameras into their community, although Redflex suggests the recession may also play a role.

“The rate of new contract signings has clearly decreased since a year ago,” Redflex admitted. “It is not clear at this stage whether this is driven by the economic environment, by the level of opposition, or by a slowdown in the rate of growth in the industry as a whole.”

A number of cities that use Redflex or a competitor have dropped the use of automated ticketing machines entirely. In California, Maywood and Moreno Valley dropped red light cameras while Loma Linda and Upland discussed the possibility of doing so. Avondale, Arizona and Dalton, Georgia also canceled their programs.

“As has been experienced over prior years, there is no guarantee that all contracts will be renewed at completion of their base contract term,” a Redflex statement explained. “Some cities have decided not to continue, and we have experienced early shutdowns in two cities.”

The company’s other major financial burden has been a lawsuit filed by American Traffic Solutions has cost Redflex another $1.3 million (more info). A shareholder revolt also cost the company $197,000 in expenses related to a change in the board of directors. Source

via Red Light Camera Giant Redflex Loses $8 Million From Opposition.

Rates Increase in 91 Counties, Decrease in 1, Remain the Same in Three

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for December was 10.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage point from the revised November rate of 10.2 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of December was unchanged at 10.0 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for December 2009, released today, show that the rate increased in 91 counties, decreased in one, and remained the same in three counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, up 0.4 from its November rate. Lauderdale and Marshall counties had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent. Lauderdale was up 0.4 from the November rate, and Marshall County increased from 16.8 percent in November.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.1 percent, up 0.4 percentage point from the November rate. Hamilton County was at 8.9 percent, up 0.5 percentage point from the November rate. Davidson County was 9.2 percent, up 0.4 from the previous month, and Shelby County was 10.3 percent, up 0.3 from the November rate.

Data is from the following links –  Dec 2008, Jan 2009, Feb 2009, Mar 2009, April 2009, May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Up 0.7 Percentage Point from November

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for December was 10.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage point from the November rate of 10.2 percent.

“This month we’ve seen a cumulative effect of statistical information which resulted in our high rate of unemployment,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “These figures are consistent with a weak holiday period that outweighed seasonal adjustments to the unemployment rate this time of year.”

The December rate a year ago was 7.6 percent. The national unemployment rate for December 2009 was 10.0 percent, equal to the November rate of 10.0 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
November 2009 to December 2009

According to the Business Survey, 1,700 job gains occurred in retail trade; 1,200 in health care and social assistance; and 1,000 in professional, scientific and technical services. Major employment decreases occurred in manufacturing, down by 4,300; mining and construction declined by 3,900; and administrative, support and waste services declined by 2,900 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
December 2008 to December 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 8,700; federal government increased 1,500; and local government educational services gained 1,400. Manufacturing decreased by 27,600 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities lost 26,800; and mining and construction declined by 24,700.

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Down 0.2 Percentage Point from October

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November was 10.3 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the October rate of 10.5 percent.

“As the year ends, we’re seeing evidence the economy is bottoming out and beginning to show some modest employment growth, which is encouraging news,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley.

The November rate a year ago was 7.2 percent. The national unemployment rate for November 2009 was 10.0 percent, down from the October rate of 10.2 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
October 2009 to November 2009

According to the Business Survey, 7,300 job gains occurred in retail trade; 1,800 in professional and business services; and 1,300 in health care and social assistance. Major employment decreases occurred in durable goods manufacturing, down by 1,800; arts, entertainment and recreation declined by 1,300; and mining and construction declined by 1,000 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
November 2008 to November 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 7,500; federal government increased 1,500; and local government educational services gained 1,100. Manufacturing decreased by 29,800 jobs; mining and construction lost 28,200; and trade, transportation and utilities declined by 23,300.

Middle Tennessee State University has done a great job analyzing the housing market in Tennessee for the 3th quarter, 2009.  In the link below they give data on employment, permits, repeat sales, mortgage tax collections, transfer tax collections, foreclosures, and inventory.

Economic activity contracted again for Tennessee’s economy in the third quarter as aggregate measures of employment continued
to decline and the unemployment rate rose (Table 1).  Nonfarm employment declined more than in previous quarters, with much of the decline centered in manufacturing and construction.

The unemployment rate rose slightly to 10.7 percent from 10.5 percent in the second quarter, but the small increase should not be considered a sign of improvement because total employment continued to drop. The unemployment rate did not rise much because thousands of persons without work stopped searching for employment, shrinking the labor force at least temporarily. 

New claims for unemployment insurance continued to decline in the third quarter but at a slower pace compared with earlier this year (Figure 1). The four-week moving average dropped to 10,031 during the final week of October, the lowest rate since November 2008. Falling initial claims signal that fewer layoffs are occurring, helping to reduce the upward pressure on the unemployment rate. Sustained improvements in the unemployment rate will require more than just fewer layoffs, however; net job creation is needed.

Housing construction and sales provided one of the few positive contributions for the Tennessee economy, but these gains may be tenuous. Sustainable growth in the housing market will require growth of employment and payrolls, both of which appear distant at present.

Read more via  Tennessee Housing Market

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Unchanged from September

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October was 10.5 percent, unchanged from the September rate of 10.5 percent.

“While the national unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent, Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady at 10.5 percent for the second consecutive month,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “This continues a pattern of stabilization in most sectors of Tennessee’s economy.”

The October rate a year ago was 6.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for October 2009 was 10.2 percent, up from the September rate of 9.8 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
September 2009 to October 2009

According to the Business Survey, 5,300 job gains occurred primarily in state and local government educational services; 5,000 in administrative, support and waste services; and 1,800 in private educational services. Major employment decreases occurred in leisure and hospitality, down by 6,900, mining and construction declined by 2,600, and manufacturing decreased by 1,400 jobs

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
October 2008 to October 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 6,400; local government increased 3,300; and federal government gained 2,000; manufacturing was down 37,100; mining and construction lost 29,500; and trade, transportation and utilities declined by 28,700.

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga operations have received more than 65,000 applications for its local jobs, including 35,000 for production slots.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and we are very satisfied with the result. It gives us the confidence that we will be able to hire all the capable and flexible people we need to build our cars safely and with the highest quality,” said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for VW’s Chattanooga operations.

Read more via Chattanooga Times Free Press | Chattanooga: 65,000 applications filed for VW jobs.

Permanent closures to reduce IP’s North American capacity by 2.1 million tons

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Oct. 22, 2009 – International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced plans to close its paper mill and associated operations in Franklin, Va., and its containerboard mills in Pineville, La., and Albany, Ore. The company also announced it would permanently shut down the previously idled No. 3 machine at its Valliant, Okla., containerboard mill. The Valliant Mill’s other two machines will continue to operate. These permanent shutdowns will reduce the company’s North American paper and board capacity by 2.1 million tons.

“We recognize these are very difficult decisions affecting our employees, their families and the communities surrounding these mills,” said Chairman and CEO John Faraci. “We have concluded that we have excess capacity in our North American paper and packaging businesses, and these decisions will better match our supply with our expected customer demand.”

Since the onset of the global recession, the decline in demand for International Paper’s uncoated freesheet in North America has accelerated, and consequently the company has decided to further reduce its uncoated freesheet capacity.

In its containerboard and coated paperboard businesses, International Paper expects demand to resume growth as the economy rebounds. However, the company’s demand is not expected to return to 2008 levels in the near future. Therefore, permanent IP capacity closures are necessary.

The closures, which will impact about 1,600 employees, will result in permanent North American capacity reductions as follows:

via International Paper to Shut Down Three Mills

Forbes.com lists affordable metro areas that offer sunny weather, jobs and rosy economic outlooks.  Forbes article

Click here for the full list of places to retire