Harrison County unemployment rate up, but below state and nation, while prices of grocery items fluctuate
Harrison County lost 190 jobs from the second quarter of 2008 to the same quarter of 2009, which translates into an annual rate of decline of -0.5 percent, according to a new study released in the Harrison County Economic Monitor, a publication of the WVU College of Business and Economics. This publication is sponsored by the Harrison County Development Authority.
“It is important to remember that even though Harrison County lost jobs during the past four quarters, the rate of loss has been far smaller than experienced by either West Virginia or the nation,” said George W. Hammond, Associate Director of the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research. In addition, the Harrison County unemployment rate is estimated to have hit 7.0 percent in the second quarter, well above the 3.8 percent rate posted in the same quarter of 2008.
“Harrison County’s unemployment rate, even at 7.0 percent remains well below the state and national rates,” commented Hammond. Overall, Harrison County is feeling the effects of the national downturn.
As unemployment has risen, prices of items in local stores have gone both ways. “From the second quarter of 2008 to the second quarter of 2009, five typical grocery items showed a significant change in price in Harrison County,” said Amy Higginbotham, economist at the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research and manager of the Harrison County ACCRA survey. “The price of a half gallon of whole milk and of a dozen grade A large eggs declined while the price of sugar, canned tuna, and dishwashing powder increased over this time period.”
She said that although the prices of certain goods have fluctuated during the past year, Harrison County’s cost of living remains below the national average by 5.4 percent.
“The Harrison County Economic Monitor is part of an on-going effort by the Harrison County Development Authority to expand the economic information and analysis available for the county,” said David Cutlip, President of the Board of Directors of the Harrison County Development Authority. Further details regarding the survey results can be found in the August 2009 issue of the Harrison County Economic Monitor.
Harrison County’s cost of living was estimated on a quarterly basis by BBER research personnel using a national methodology development by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). Along with 320 other urban areas, BBER canvassed Harrison County businesses to collect prices on approximately 60 goods and services and submitted these to C2ER for tabulation. The goods and services priced were typical of those purchased by professional and executive households in the top 20 percent of the income distribution.
The Harrison County Economic Monitor is published three times a year. Copies of the publication can be found at www.bber.wvu.edu and on the Harrison County Development Authority web site at www.hcdawv.com. Information about the ACCRA cost of living survey can be found at www.coli.org.
Contact:
Amy Higginbotham, Economist
Phone: 304-293-7534
George W. Hammond, Associate Director
Phone: 304-293-7876
David Cutlip, Harrison County Development Authority
Phone: 304-623-3596
