From Staff Reports

An updated and revised unemployment rate for October 2024 — released recently by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce — revealed that Buncombe County’s rate was higher than the chamber had first reported a few weeks ago.

“The latest updated figures show the unemployment rate for October 2024, the month immediately following when Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina, was 10.4 percent, instead of the previously reported 8.8 percent,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Jan. 3.

“Buncombe’s rate in October was the highest in the state, but for November (also based on numbers released by state chamber), it dropped to 7.2 percent, which was the second-highest in the state, topped  Mitchell byCounty, which had a rate of 8.9 percent.

“But Buncombe County still had the state’s highest rate for a metropolitan city, Asheville, which had a rate of 6.1 percent. The lowest metropolitan city rate was Wilmington at 3 percent.”

News 13 also noted thjat, statewide, “unemployment rates, which are not seasonally adjusted, increased in 85 counties in November 2024, decreased in 12 (including Buncombe County) and remained unchanged in three.

“While Mitchell County had the highest November unemployment rate at 8.9 percent, Orange and Currituck counties each had the lowest at 2.9 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases — and one decreased.”

The next state chamber unemployment update is scheduled to be releasd on Jan. 28, when the statewide unemployment rate for December will be revealed. 

Meanwhile, News 13’s Comment Bubble appearing after its story included the following:

 â€¢ TheOracle — ‘Some jobs will never come back. However, soon there will be a glut of former federal workers to help fill some of the openings.’  

• Normal — “Only off by 18% ... do these people count money or votes?”

• WindRidge — “Asheville Chamber of Commerce could fill a couple of tour buses, but still counted wrong. Oh yeah — Democrats count different.

What is the age bracket? Part-time workers counted as full-time? 

No specifics whatsoever. Heck - it could be easy 25%.

• ATruthTeller (in a reply to WindRidge) — “Those numbers are calculated by the state, not the chamber.”

• Crescent41 — “Are 5-year-olds cookin’ the numbers? Not surprised sense they have been hearing to 4 years of word salads.....Get rid of woke!’