File photo
File photo
The Texas Workforce Commission reported unemployment in three area counties was three times higher last month that it was in February due to COVID-19.
The data included Gregg, Rusk and Upshur counties, the Longview News-Journal reported.
In the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area, the unemployment rate reached 12.3% in April — meaning 11,000 residents were out of work. That number was up from 5.7% in March and 3.1% from 12 months ago, the news agency reported.
“These numbers from the Texas Workforce Commission reflect the measurable impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Texas economy,” Robert Johnson, executive director of the Gladewater Economic Development Corp., said.
Johnson told the newspaper that their corporation is working on efforts to bring new business to the area.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is 12.8%, a record from the previous 9.2% in November 1986. The state is slowly opening back up in stages, which should lower unemployment numbers, according to state officials.
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