Jobless rate climbed in May

Hancock County's unemployment rate increased to 2.7% in May from 2.5% in April, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Wednesday. Jobless rates rose in 11 of Ohio's 88 counties last month. Putnam County had the third lowest rate in Ohio in May with 2.2% unemployment. Unemployment rates in neighboring counties in May, with April rates in parentheses, were: Allen County, 3.4% (3.5%); Hardin, 3.4% (3.4%); Henry, 3.3% (3.9%); Putnam, 2.2% (2.4%); Seneca, 3.3% (3%); Wood, 2.8% (2.8%); and Wyandot, 2.4% (2.3%). Mercer and Holmes counties were tied for the lowest jobless rates in May, at 2.1%. Cuyahoga County had the highest rate last month, with 6%. The statewide unemployment rate, which is seasonally adjusted, declined to 3.9% in May from 4% in April. The jobless rate nationwide, also seasonally adjusted, was 3.6% in May and April. While inflation remains a big problem in the U.S., Biden administration officials note that it's generally a great time to look for a job. The U.S. secretary of labor, Marty Walsh, said the U.S. added 390,000 jobs in May. "With an average of 408,000 jobs created each month over the last three months, and a sustained low unemployment rate, the historic economic recovery under this administration has begun to transition into steady, stable growth that continues to provide widespread opportunity to America's workers," Walsh said. Walsh said that while the economy generally is doing well, equity remains a concern. "While the unemployment rate held steady for most groups, the rate for Black workers remains nearly double that of white workers and ticked upward in May as more Black women reentered the labor force and looked for jobs," Walsh said. "We continue to implement the Department's Equity Action Plan, in partnership with agencies across the government and in line with the President's Executive Order Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities, to ensure that everything we do removes the barriers facing those who have been underserved by our economy in the past," he said. Wilin: 419-427-8413