SC jobless rate still rising, hits 8.4 percent

Tools

SC jobless rate still rising, hits 8.4 percent

Story Published: Dec 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)- An additional 11,500 people in South Carolina joined the ranks of the unemployed last month, driving the state's jobless rate to 8.4 percent.

State unemployment officials said Friday that November's rate was up from a revised 7.9 percent rate in October and compares with a national rate of 6.7 percent. Nearly 183,000 people are unemployed in South Carolina.

The state's top economic advisers have predicted that unemployment could reach an unprecedented 14 percent next year.

The high number of people seeking unemployment benefits has depleted the fund the state uses to make those payments.

Unemployment officials have said they will need to borrow $147
million from the federal government to make payments in the first three months of the year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

User Agreement

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of WAGT. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Tuesday, Dec 23 at 7:18 PM North Augusta wrote ...

I think South Carolina needs to review who they give unemployment to....some people are not even looking for jobs- they depend on the government for their money. That would help out a lot. Some people who actually are looking for jobs can't even get unemployment

14060299 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

WAGT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. Comments are posted on site immediately and without station moderation. If you feel a comment is inappropriate you may flag it for review. For guidelines on flagging comments see our Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

More Good Stuff

WAGT Weather

Click here for 7 Day Forecast
Icon
Current Temp 67.0 °F
Fog/Mist
More Weather

WAGT Weather

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Viewer Poll

Do you think Aiken County's blue laws should be repealed?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm not sure

What's On Tonight Full Schedule