Scotland County's unemployment rate jumped seven-tenths of a point to 17.2 percent in October, the county's highest unemployment rate since June, according to new state figures.

County residents with jobs decreased by 168 to 11,588 while those seeking work increased by 83, according to statistics released by the N.C. Employment Security Commission on Monday. The number of people in the workforce decreased from 14,087 to 14,002.

Scotland County ESC Director Burnest Graham was disappointed with the new numbers.

"I had hoped it had stabalized, but we are still getting some layoffs," Graham said.

Part of the unemployment rise is from season employment changes, the local director said.

He is optimistic that some growth will come from increased hiring in the retail sector for the holidays, but says it is likely the manufacturing sector will have more layoffs into the new year as is consistent with the end of a fiscal year.

Graham believes more jobs will likely be created at the beginning of January.

Scotland's rate increase mirrored unemployment in the rest of the state as unemployment rates rose in 73 other counties and the state's rate increased from 0.3 points to 10.7 percent in October.

"While some of the increases are seasonal, there is a continued effect throughout the state from this recession," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. “Helping the jobless find work continues to be one of our major goals. We have seen some hiring over the past month, but we also know that layoffs continue to take place.

The state-wide labor force dropped from 4,527,091 to 4,544,493 in October from the previous month. Those employed decreased from 4,054,662 to 4,060,373 while those seeking work increased from 472,429 to 484,120.

The top counties for unemployment after Scotland were Edgecombe with a 17 percent rate, Rutherford with 16.6 percent, Caldell with 16.1 percent and Graham and Anson, both with a 15.6 percent. The county with the lowest unemployment was Currituck, with a 6 percent rate.

Surrounding counties also saw an increase in their rates. Richmond's rate rose a full point to 14.2 percent, Robeson increased 0.3 points to 11.8 percent, Moore increased 0.2 to 9.7 percent and Hoke increased 0.1 to 8.4 percent.

Extension of benefits

A second tier extension enhancement and a third tier extension for North Carolina unemployment insurance benefits has been enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama. The US Department of Labor has developed procedures that each state must use in order to begin paying these benefits.

While the law went into affect a month ago, the state is still working to finish the necessary changes in programming to implement the extension. They hope to be finished in the next two or three weeks.

However, the Commission has exercised the Extended Benefits Coordination option under the extension to allow ongoing payments to over 17,800 unemployed workers and will continue to implement changes throughout the period, accorsinf to the ESC.

The commission will mail notices that include instructions for filing to all unemployment insurance recipients who are potentially eligible for the tier two and tier three extensions.

"It takes some time for the regulations to come down from Washington," Graham said.

Graham warns that people must follow directions carefully to receive their benefits and recommends that anyone who is uncertain about a section of the form or who has questions to call the local office at 276-4260.

"The ESC is aggressively working to finish the necessary programming of our computer system so that the new extension of claims can be filed and paid," Carey said.

Meanwhile, Graham says the local office is committed to teaching those seeking work better methods of marketing themselves to potential employers and to find retraining opportunities for those who lose their jobs.