January was a pretty cruel month for Douglas County workers. Unemployment hit 14.8 percent, the third highest level in the state.
Of more concern was that our workforce shrank by 1,700 people since August when the number of Douglas workers was at its highest during 2009. It's the first time county employment has dropped below 20,000 since 2006.
While the state average held steady at 13 percent, Douglas unemployment shot up 320 people.
Unemployment is supposed to increase in January, experts will tell you.
The seasonal labor hired by retail outlets is let go, swelling the ranks of the unemployed.
Offsetting that seasonal employment are the ski resorts, which are still going strong until the snow melts.
This year, however, Douglas experienced declines in the casino industry that saw the closure of Bill's Casino at Stateline and a force reduction at the Carson Valley Inn.
The county's building industry remains at a standstill with an average of one house per month so far this year.
We still trail Lyon County's 19.1 percent joblessness, which has consistently been the highest rate in the state since the recession began. Nye County is also still ahead of us at 16.4 percent.
On Monday, County Manager T.Michael Brown will give the State of the County address. He will talk about the county's prosperous past with an eye to the future. But as we stand balanced on the economic ledge, we can look ahead or behind us, but under no circumstances should we look down.
