Edinburg’s August 5.1 percent unemployment rate is city’s best showing for that month since 2007, almost 35,000 people employed, says Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

In the most recent showing of jobs in the city, Edinburg’s unemployment rate for August 2015 was 5.1 percent, the best performance for that month for the city since August 2007 (five percent), the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced, noting that almost 35,000 people were employed in the city. The EEDC, of which Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The EEDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mark Iglesias as President, Harvey Rodríguez as Vice President, Ellie M. Torres as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Richard García and Richard Ruppert as Members. The unemployment rate is a key indicator of the strength of the local economy. Edinburg was edged out by McAllen, which posted a five percent unemployment rate, for the top spot in August among the Valley’s major economies. The city’s latest unemployment rate was the same as than the U.S. unemployment rate for August 2015, which also came in at 5.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Edinburg’s August 2015 figure of 5.1 percent continues a year-long pattern of positive reports: July (5.4 percent); June (5.1 percent); May 2015 (4.8 percent); April 2015 (4.6 percent); March 2015 (4.8 percent); February 2015 (4.8 percent); and January 2015 (5.1 percent). Edinburg’s August 2015 unemployment rate of 5.1 percent remained close to the Texas statewide average, which was 4.4 percent in August, 4.6 percent in July, 4.4 percent in June, 4.1 percent for May 2015, four percent for April 2015, 4.2 percent for March 2015, 4.3 percent for February 2015, and 4.6 percent for January 2015, according to Texas Workforce Commission figures. The data represents an increase of 217 jobs in Edinburg when comparing the employment figures for August 2015 and August 2014. In August 2015, there were 34,908 persons employed in Edinburg, compared with 34,691 in August 2014. The August 2015 unemployment rate of 5.1 percent for Edinburg is also better than the annual unemployment rate in Edinburg for 2014, which was 5.8 percent – and that yearly rate was the best 12-month average from January through December since 2008. The Texas Workforce Commission data on all entities in the state, including cities and counties, is available online at: http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Labforce. In a related development, individuals interested in a job with the City of Edinburg have several options available in order to submit an electronic job application beginning on Monday, October 5. Effective as of that date, The City of Edinburg Human Resources Department will no longer accept paper job applications. Applicants will now have the convenience of online access and will no longer need to stop by City Hall for an application. This new policy will also minimize paper waste and streamline service for more expedited processing. Find the online link to apply on the City of Edinburg homepage at http://www.cityofedinburg.com. Applicants are also able to use mobile devices to access the online job form. Spanish speakers may select the option to utilize the Google translate function. Applicants without Internet access are advised to use computers available at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 S. Closner, or the Human Resources Department in City Hall at 415 W. University Drive. City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Edinburg city government is a significant economic force in the community, with a 700-member staff and a $100 million operational budget. Potential applicants may call the City of Edinburg Human Resources Department at 956/388-1873 with questions or for more information.

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Edinburg’s August 5.1 percent unemployment rate is city’s best showing for that month since 2007, almost 35,000 people employed, says Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Edinburg’s unemployment rate for August 2015 was 5.1 percent, the best showing for that month for the city since August 2007 (five percent), the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced, noting that almost 35,000 people were employed in the city.

The EEDC, of which Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council.

The EEDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mark Iglesias as President, Harvey Rodríguez as Vice President, Ellie M. Torres as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Richard García and Richard Ruppert as Members.

The unemployment rate is a key indicator of the strength of the local economy.

Edinburg was edged out by McAllen, which posted a five percent unemployment rate, for the top spot in August among the Valley’s major economies.

The city’s latest performance was the same as than the U.S. unemployment rate for August 2015, which also came in at 5.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000).

Edinburg’s August 2015 figure of 5.1 percent continues a year-long pattern of positive reports: July (5.4 percent); June (5.1 percent); May 2015 (4.8 percent); April 2015 (4.6 percent); March 2015 (4.8 percent); February 2015 (4.8 percent); and January 2015 (5.1 percent).

Edinburg’s August 2015 unemployment rate of 5.1 percent remained close to the Texas statewide average, which was 4.4 percent in August, 4.6 percent in July, 4.4 percent in June, 4.1 percent for May 2015, four percent for April 2015, 4.2 percent for March 2015, 4.3 percent for February 2015, and 4.6 percent for January 2015, according to Texas Workforce Commission figures.

The data represents an increase of 217 jobs in Edinburg when comparing the employment figures for August 2015 and August 2014. In August 2015, there were 34,908 persons employed in Edinburg, compared with 34,691 in August 2014.

The August 2015 unemployment rate of 5.1 percent for Edinburg is also better than the annual unemployment rate in Edinburg for 2014, which was 5.8 percent – and that yearly rate was the best 12-month average from January through December since 2008.

Edinburg’s annual unemployment rates since 2005, which is the year in which the state government began preparing those figures using a more accurate formula, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, have registered as follows: 2014 (5.8 percent); 2013 (6.9 percent); 2012 (7.5 percent); 2011 (8.4 percent); 2010 (8.2 percent); 2009 (6.8 percent); 2008 (4.9 percent); 2007 (4.7 percent); 2006 (5.2 percent); and 2005 (4.9 percent).

Among its many duties, the Texas Workforce Commission provides information and analysis on shifts in occupations and industries within the state, including unemployment rates and employment figures, broken down by cities, counties, and regions in Texas, on a monthly basis.

Also according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the major cities in the four-county Valley have recorded the following monthly unemployment rates in 2015:

• McAllen: August (5.o percent), July (5.2 percent), June (5.0 percent), May (4.6 percent), April (4.5 percent), March (4.7 percent) February (4.7 percent), and January (5.0 percent);

• Edinburg: August (5.1 percent), July (5.4 percent), June (5.1 percent), May (4.8 percent), April (4.6 percent), March (4.8 percent), February (4.8 percent), and January (5.1 percent);

• Harlingen: August (6.0 percent), July (6.1 percent), June 6.0 percent), May (5.6 percent), April (5.4 percent), March (5.6 percent), February (5.7 percent), and January (6.3 percent);

• Mission: August (6.1 percent), July (6.4 percent), June (6.3 percent), May (5.8 percent), April (5.6 percent), March (5.7 percent), February (5.8 percent), and January (6.3 percent);

• Weslaco: August (6.6 percent), July (6.4 percent), June (6.0 percent), May (5.8 percent), April (5.7 percent), March (6.0 percent), February (6.4 percent), and January (7.2 percent);

• Brownsville: August (6.6 percent), July (6.9 percent), June (6.8 percent), May (6.4 percent), April (6.5 percent), March (7.1 percent), February (7.0 percent), and January (7.8 percent); and

• Pharr: August (7.0 percent), July (7.2 percent), June (7.0 percent), May (6.1 percent), April (6.1 percent), March (6.4 percent), February (6.7 percent), and January (7.5 percent).

The unemployment rate is the number of persons unemployed, expressed as a percentage of the civilian labor force, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. The civilian labor force is that portion of the population age 16 and older employed or unemployed. To be considered unemployed, a person has to be not working but willing and able to work and actively seeking work.

EDINBURG UPDATES JOB APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH CITY GOVERNMENT

In a related development, individuals interested in a job with the City of Edinburg have several options available in order to submit an electronic job application beginning on Monday, October 5.

Effective as of that date, The City of Edinburg Human Resources Department will no longer accept paper job applications. Applicants will now have the convenience of online access and will no longer need to stop by City Hall for an application. This new policy will also minimize paper waste and streamline service for more expedited processing.

Find the online link to apply on the City of Edinburg homepage at http://www.cityofedinburg.com.

Applicants are also able to use mobile devices to access the online job form. Spanish speakers may select the option to utilize the Google translate function. Applicants without Internet access are advised to use computers available at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 S. Closner, or the Human Resources Department in City Hall at 415 W. University Drive.

City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Edinburg city government is a significant economic force in the community, with a 700-member staff and a $100 million operational budget.

Potential applicants may call the City of Edinburg Human Resources Department at 956/388-1873 with questions or for more information.

OTHER KEY REGIONAL, LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS

All cities combined in Hidalgo County averaged a 7.9 percent unemployment rate in August 2015, compared to July (8.1 percent), June (7.8 percent) May (7.2 percent), April (7.3 percent), March (7.6 percent), February (7.7 percent), and January (8.3 percent).

All cities combined in Cameron County averaged a 6.8 percent unemployment rate in August 2015, compared to July (7.0 percent), June (7.0 percent), May (6.6 percent), April (6.7 percent), March (7.1 percent); February (7.2 percent), and January (7.8 percent).

Also for August 2015, there were 302,276 individuals employed in Hidalgo County, while 152,516 persons were employed in Cameron County.

All cities combined in Starr County averaged a 13 unemployment rate in August 2015, compared to July (13.4 percent), June (13.3 percent), May (12.4 percent), April (12.7 percent), March (13.5 percent), February (13.4 percent), and January (13.9 percent).

All cities combined in Willacy County averaged a 12.5 unemployment rate in August 2015, compared to July (12.9 percent), June (12.6 percent), May (11.9 percent), April (12.2 percent), March (12.2 percent), February (11.1 percent), and January (11.6 percent).

For August 2015, there were 22,020 individuals employed in Starr County, while during the same month, 6,142 persons were employed in Willacy County.

More detailed information about the labor market and unemployment rates in Edinburg and neighboring major communities include:

Number of Persons Employed, August 2015:

• Brownsville: 69,093
• McAllen: 59,187
• Edinburg: 34,908
• Mission: 30,550
• Pharr: 26,419
• Harlingen: 23,038
• Weslaco: 13,209

Edinburg 2015 Employment, By Month:

• August 2015: 34,908
• July 2014: 34,834
• June 2015: 35,459
• May 2015: 35,848
• April 2015: 35,538
• March 2015: 35,600
• February 2015: 35,497
• January 2015: 35,554

Edinburg 2014 Employment, By Month:

• December 2014: 35,887
• November 2014: 35,922
• October 2014: 35,793
• September 2014: 35,192
• August 2014: 34,691
• July 2014: 34,600
• June 2014: 35,246
• May 2014: 35,430
• April 2014: 35,374
• March 2014: 35,194
• February 2014: 35,043
• January 2014: 34,896

Edinburg Monthly Unemployment Rates, 2014:

• December: 4.6 percent
• November: 5.1 percent
• October: 5.4 percent
• September: 5.7 percent
• August: 6.3 percent
• July: 6.6 percent
• June: 6.6 percent
• May: 5.8 percent
• April: 5.3 percent
• March: 5.9 percent
• February: 6.2 percent
• January: 6.3 percent

Edinburg Monthly Unemployment Rates, 2013

• December: 6.1 percent
• November: 6.3 percent
• October: 6.9 percent
• September: 6.9 percent
• August: 7.2 percent
• July: 7.5 percent
• June: 7.6 percent
• May: 6.9 percent
• April: 6.4 percent
• March: 6.8 percent
• February: 7.1 percent
• January: 7.2 percent

Because of substantial methodology changes between 2004 and 2005 in estimating city unemployment statistics, Texas city data is not available prior to 2005, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Because of substantial methodology changes in geographic areas below the state level, data from 2005 and 2004 or earlier is not considered comparable, the state agency explains.

Effective in March 2015, the TWC also notes that “for all sub-state LAUS estimates, a break in series exists between December 2009 and January 2010 due to a change in methodology used. The use of caution is advised when comparing data from prior to 2010 to that of 2010-present.

The Texas Workforce Commission data on all entities in the state, including cities and counties, is available online at:

http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Labforce

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For more information on the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the City of Edinburg, please log on to http://edinburgedc.com or to http://www.facebook.com/edinburgedc