By By Kerry Whipple Bean
Escambia County’s unemployment rate inched up for December, along with the state’s, as Gov. Bob Riley urged state lawmakers to pass tax incentives for job creation.
Escambia County’s rate was up to 12.7 percent from 12.5 percent in November. The state rate was up to 11 percent, from 10.5 in November.A month earlier, rates had been down slightly.
Riley encouraged lawmakers to pass two proposals he said would help create jobs: a $1,500 tax credit to companies that hire unemployed Alabamians and $1,500 for each new job a company creates in the state’s hardest hit areas.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby at 7.6 percent, Madison at 7.7 percent and Coffee at 8.1 percent. Counties with the highest rates were Wilcox, 24.5 percent; Monroe, 20.2 percent; and Dallas, 20.1 percent.
Conecuh County’s rate was at 19.9 percent, up slightly from 19.8 in November.