Harlan County recorded a 12.3 percent unemployment rate in June, a 1.1 percent increase from May, placing the county in the middle of the pack among Kentucky’s 120 counties with the 57th highest unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in all 120 Kentucky counties between June 2008 and June 2009, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

The 12.3 percent unemployment mark recorded by the county in June is a 2.7 percent increase since June 2008. The OET estimates that there were 8,950 people employed in Harlan County in June and 1,258 unemployed workers.

The mining and logging sector held steady from May 2009 to June 2009 with a total of 25,700 jobs.

Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop said the current slow-down in the coal industry could have an impact on the county’s other employers.

“There is always a ripple effect when a company cuts back or shuts down,” he said. “The stores that those individuals purchase from will see a negative impact.”

The educational and health services sector increased by 1,200 jobs in June 2009. Since last June, the number of jobs in this sector has risen by 3,900.

“Year-over-year employment gains were concentrated in the educational services industry. However, health care and social assistance businesses also exhibited job growth from June 2008 to June 2009. Three new colleges opening and expansions at four educational institutions in the last year contributed to the rise in the number of jobs in the educational services industry,” said Dr. Justine Detzel, the OET chief labor market analyst.

“Education is extremely important. The education process plays a major role in the county’s future economy,” Grieshop said. “A good health care system is also important in trying to draw tourism and those who are retired to the county. Education, health care and coal mining are the three largest employers in the county and all go hand in hand in driving our community.”

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 8.5 percent. It was followed by Woodford and Ballard counties, 8.6 percent each; Oldham County, 8.9 percent; Calloway and McCracken counties, 9.2 percent each; Webster County, 9.4 percent; Boyd County, 9.5 percent; and Carlisle and Franklin counties, 9.6 percent each.

Kentucky's seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate for June 2009 reached a near 26-year high of 10.9 percent from a revised 10.7 percent in May 2009, according to the (OET). June 2009's jobless rate was the highest since the August 1983 figure of 11.1 percent.

June 2009's unemployment rate is 4.5 percentage points higher than the 6.4 percent rate recorded in June 2008.

“In June 2009, Kentucky's economy continued to deteriorate as nearly every sector endured job losses. The manufacturing sector suffered the largest employment decline, which is indicative of the prolonged manufacturing slump rippling through the economy. Retrenchment by consumers trickled through the trade, transportation and utilities sector resulting in 1,700 fewer positions in these industries,” Detzel said.

Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 18.8 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 18 percent; Metcalfe County, 16.5 percent; Powell, Lewis and Bath counties, 16.3 percent each; Menifee County, 15.9 percent; Trigg County, 15.8 percent; Butler County, 15.6 percent; and Carter County, 15.5 percent.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose from 9.4 percent in May 2009 to 9.5 percent in June 2009.

For additional information about the Office of Employment and Training, go to www.workforce.ky.gov.