|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871
1,370 Areas Identified
The U.S. Labor Department has announced that 1,370 areas
in the United States have been designated as labor surplus areas due to high
unemployment. Many observers look to this data as an indication whether the
economic condition of a geographic area is improving or declining.
To be designated as a labor surplus area, an area must
have had an average unemployment rate of at least 7.1 percent for the two-year
period 1994-1995. The qualifying unemployment rate of 7.1 percent is a
substantial decrease from the 7.8 percent qualifying rate for Fiscal Year 1996
and stems from a decline in the national unemployment rate.
Areas with an unemployment rate under 7.1 percent in 1994
and 1995 may be considered for classification as labor surplus areas on the
basis of exceptional circumstances. These might include a sudden increase in
unemployment that is not temporary or seasonal in nature and that results from
such circumstances as plant closings, natural disasters or cancellations of
contracts.
The labor surplus area classification list is effective
October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997.
The list of labor surplus areas and a complete description
of the classification criteria -- as well as updates to the annual list -- are
contained in Area Trends in Employment and Unemployment, a monthly publication
prepared by the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration
(ETA).
The publication is available at a cost of $41 for a
12-month subscription or $4.50 for a single issue. Contact the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
(202-783-3238).
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
