ANDERSON: The unemployment rate for both Anderson and Madison County declined significantly for the month of April, reaching the lowest levels in the past 18 months. The Anderson unemployment rate dropped from 5.2 percent in March to 3.6 percent in April, according to data provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. A year ago the unemployment for the city was at 5.8 percent.
The Madison County rate declined from 4.6 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April. The county’s rate a year ago was 5.1 percent. Figures from the state showed that the number of Anderson residents working in April increased by 336 over March to 22,711. The statistics show the number of people who were unemployed for the month declined by 384 to 843. The Anderson labor force declined by 48 in April to 23,554. For Madison County, the state statistics showed 850 people found employment in April, rising to 57,415 working. The statistics show the number of people who were unemployed in April dropped by 889 to 1,813.
The county’s labor force declined by 39 people in April to 59,228. Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.6 percent for April and remains lower than the national rate of 4.4 percent. The unknown is there is no accurate way to determine how many people have stopped looking for employment, moved from the area, or retired. “It is encouraging,” Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said of the drop in the unemployment rate. “It’s a big enough drop to wonder why and what is happening.” Winkler said new companies locating and looking at Anderson for future investment are concerned about the number of available workers in the labor force. “The good news is that wages are going up … we’ve seen wages start to rise,” he said. “Everyone who is looking for a job has been able to find one.” Winkler said residents who can pass a drug screen, show up to work on time and be trainable will be able to find a job.
Indiana’s labor force increased by 4,805 over the previous month with a 16,408 increase in employment and an 11,603 decrease in unemployment. Indiana’s total labor force stands at more than 3.32 million, and the state’s 64.6 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent. “Indiana’s unemployment rate reaching its lowest point since 2001 is a testament to the strength of the Hoosier economy; however, it’s also indicative of an ever-tightening labor market for Hoosier businesses,” Steven J. Braun, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, said in a press release. “I encourage unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers to be steadfast in their job searches and consider training and placement opportunities available at their local WorkOne Career Center.”
Braun said Indiana’s historically low number of unemployment insurance claims are a sign of a constricting labor market. He noted that while the figures are certainly positive, they do represent a workforce challenge in meeting current employer demand. Unemployment rates for other cities in the East Central Indiana region also remained mostly unchanged from January to February. Muncie’s unemployment rate went from 5.7 percent to 3.5 percent in April. The Kokomo unemployment rate changed from 4.3 percent to 3 percent and Marion’s declined from 4.9 to 3.5 percent.
