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217 E. Main St.
P.O. Box 1288
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
641.682.3465
641.682.3466 (Fax) |
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OTTUMWA TRENDS for February 2012 · Download
The labor statistics released by Iowa Workforce Development for the month of December show that the rates and the number of unemployed decreased; while the state and national percentages remained steady. According to the adjusted IWF figures (in parenthesis) the volume of the labor force increased in Ottumwa, Wapello County and decreased in the 10-County Region. In Wapello County the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 120 while the total labor force increased by 60 people. As a result the unemployment rate in Wapello County decreased to 6.8% while the figure for the City of Ottumwa dropped five tenths of a percent from 7.6% to 7.1%, still nearly a percentage below last year's figure of 8.7%. The ten county figure decreased by seven tenths of a percent to 5.7% while the Federal rate increased slightly to 8.7%. Below is a summary of the statewide employment statistics as reported by Iowa Workforce Development.
"The state's economy ended 2011 in a better place than was expected just a few months ago" said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. "Both the labor force and total employment are beginning to trend upward, and the unemployment rate has fallen considerably below the 6.0 percent mark"
In the agricultural sector, the price of corn decreased slightly in December. At an average spot price of $5.86, it is more than the average price paid a year ago. Hog prices decreased from last month's figure of $83.12, they averaged $81.16 per 100 lbs. carcass weight. Soybeans decreased just slightly to $11.12 from $11.32 the prior month, and lower than the $12.81 paid a year ago.
Download Ottumwa Trends - February 2012 for full employment, housing, financial data and more. |
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