Local leaders push for trade occupations
Hopkins County again posted the best unemployment numbers in the Northeast Texas region for fall 2020, although leaders are pushing trade jobs as the numbers are worse than last year’s.
At 4.8%, Hopkins’ quarterly unemployment is down from 5.7% of the previous quarter, according to the Northeast Texas Workforce Commission. However, unemployment for Hopkins in October 2019 held at 2.9%, according to the same data.
The highest unemployment rate for the area is Morris County, with almost triple Hopkins’ rate at 12.3%. Cass County does not fare much better, at 7.7% unemployment.
The US overall has 6.9% unemployment, while Texas as a whole has 6.7% unemployment. On average, unemployment has risen approximately 2.5% to 3% across Northeast Texas, with the exception of Hopkins where it rose 2.1% from the previous year.
“I’m always encouraging young men and women to find an occupation they’ll be happy with for a lifetime,” Newsom told the News-Telegram. “We’ve taken steps, such as 381 agreements, with several companies. A lot of good things are happening.”
On Monday, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court inked agreements with aluminum manufacturer D6, pet food company My Perfect Pet, and solar farm Bright Arrow.
“We have more than our share, but we try to bring more business into town because that’s where our growth and prosperity comes from,” Newsom noted.