Washington’s unemployment rate has jumped to 8.2 percent, far worse than the national average as the state struggles to jump-start its flagging economy.
Figures released Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department show Jefferson and Clallam counties following the statewide trend.
In Jefferson County, the jobless rate jumped from 7.7 percent in December to 8.3 percent in January.
The Clallam County unemployment rate increased from 7.9 percent in December to 9.2 percent in January.
The increase in the unemployment rate in both counties was due to the loss of seasonal jobs, including those in tourism and forestry, a state official said Tuesday.
—
The full story appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.