More Lode residents jobless; rate slows

Unemployment rates rose in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties in August, but the pace of job losses has slowed.

According to the latest statistics from the California Employment Development Department, Calaveras County’s unemployment rate was 14.4 percent in August, up from July’s 14.2 percent, and Tuolumne County’s rate was 12.9 percent, up from 12.7 percent in July.

The rate had risen rapidly from June to July, growing roughly one-half a percentage point in both counties during that time. A year ago, the unemployment rates in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties were 8.8 and 7.6 percent, respectively.

The state’s unemployment rate, meanwhile, grew from 12.1 percent in July to 12.2 percent in August. The national average sits at 9.5 percent.

A deeper look at the EDD’s numbers show that some local communities are being hit harder than others by the economic downturn. For instance, in Tuolumne County, Jamestown’s unemployment is 25 percent, the highest in the county, while Mi-Wuk Village’s rate is 3.9 percent, the lowest in the county.

George Segarini, president of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, surmised that demographic differences between the two towns explain the disparity.

“Jamestown consists of a lot of younger folks,” he said, “and there’s some cheaper housing in that area. Jamestown is always the highest rating in the county as far as unemployment is concerned. Mi-Wuk Village has a lot of older people, meaning people who are employed.”

Pedro Vargas, a labor market consultant for the EDD, noted that those who are retired are not included in unemployment statistics. Mi-Wuk Village is also home to a number of retirees.

In Calaveras County, similar disparities in the unemployment rate can be found.

Mountain Ranch has the county’s highest unemployment rate of 26 percent, while Dorrington’s unemployment rate is zero. According to the EDD figures, all members of Dorrington’s workforce of 320 are employed.

The EDD numbers, though, do not take into account those who have exhausted unemployment benefits or who are looking for work, but not going through official channels — job service offices — Vargas said.

Segarini believes the economy has “bottomed out,” but, nonetheless, he foresees more job losses in the immediate future because the Mother Lode tourist season is winding down, which will result in the layoff of seasonal employees.

Recent business closures, including the bankruptcy of two large retailers that had stores in Tuolumne County and the progressive closure of Sierra Pacific Industries’ Standard Mill, have had a big impact on the county’s unemployment rate.

Calaveras County, meanwhile, has been hit particularly hard by the down housing market, which had been booming in the area just a couple years ago.

In the long run, Segarini foresees some economic development in Tuolumne County, noting that a Lowe’s store is in the works for Sonora.

But until things get better, Segarini is urging local residents to take control of their communities’ fate.   

“If people would just shop locally, that will help keep that unemployment figure where it is and hopefully reduce it in the future,” he said.