In the Southeast, South Carolina ranked better than neighboring states such as Georgia, which posted 8.1 percent unemployment, Tennessee at 8.4 and North Carolina at 8.0 percent for October. Among the lowest jobless rates for states in the region were Alabama and Louisiana, both at 6.5 percent for October.
South Carolina’s largest employment gains included 2,600 additional jobs in manufacturing and 1,800 in construction.
College of Charleston economist Frank Hefner said the latest data is encouraging news for the jobs market.
“Back to the past, that’s where we are,” he said. “We are trying to make up for five years of lost activity, and we are getting back to those levels.”
Read it all from the local paper.