By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-889279.mp3
Albany, NY – Unemployment keeps its icy grip on New York... Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
The Capital Region's unemployment rate is at its highest ever. 35,400 people out of work. Dan Moran, president of NextAct of Colonie says he raised an eyebrow when he read that the region's January unemployment rate surged to 7.8 percent from 6.9 percent a year earlier. The state's unemployment rate has remained below the nation's throughout the recession. Kevin Jack is the statewide labor market analyst for the New York State Department of Labor in Albany: he points to statistics indicating the number of jobs lost in New York State due to the national recession that began in January 2007 are greater then first thought. Jack notes that optimism for recovery is reserved. Dan Moran's message to job-seekers: don't let the numbers discourage you - keep looking! Observers say that while employers plan to add jobs this year, the jobless rate isn't expected to significantly improve until 2011.