Scotland County dropped from second to sixth place in the joblessness in the state.

But the county's unemployment rate still managed to creep up three-tenths of a point from December to 17.4 percent for January.

According to the state Employment Security Commission, this rate reflects a rise in the number of people looking for work, with 134 more seeking employment in January than in December. Those with jobs also rose by 433.

In January, there were 14,224 in the labor force with 11,755 employed and 2,469 seeking employment. In December, there were 13,657 in the workforce with 11,322 employed and 2,335 seeking work.

While the jobless rate saw a slight rise, Scotland County has slid down to number six in the state for unemployment. It was ranked second in the state in December and November and held the top spot for much of the past few years.

Graham County is now the top county in the Tar Heel state for unemployment with a jobless rate of 19.3 percent. It is followed by Swain at 18.1, Rutherford at 18.0, Dare at 17.6 and Caldwell at 17.5.

Orange County had the lowest rate at 6.9 while the state had an unemployment rate of 11.8 percent.

All neighboring counties saw a rise in their jobless rates.

Hoke County increased 0.8 points to 9.2 percent, Moore County increased 1.0 points to 11.0 percent, Richmond County increased 0.3 points to 13.1 percent and Robeson increased 0.6 points to 12.6 percent.

"The current economy continues to influence nearly every major job sector, mainly in manufacturing and construction," ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes said. "In our local employment offices, we see, as well, the impact on our citizens."

She said a recent extension of benefits will help North Carolinians who are out of work.

"The action by Congress to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program and the latest implementation of benefits will assist thousands more as they continue to look for work," Holmes said.

In South Carolina, the unemployment rate increased 0.2 points to 12.6 percent. Marlboro County's rate increased 1.4 points to 21.3 percent. They are ranks fifth in the Palmetto State for unemployment.

North Carolina will release the state's unemployment rate for the month of February on Friday and the county rates on April 7.

Food and nutrition help

The Scotland County office of the Employment Security Commission has recently enacted a program to help people receiving aid from Food and Nutrition Services, formerly the Food Stamp Program, find work.

Assistant Manager Betty Galloway, acting director of the local office, said the Department of Social Services contracts with local ESC offices to help those receiving food aid seek employment in an effort to help clear the rolls of some of the recipients who are able to work but are currently not employed.

The program is a voluntary program that food aid recipients must ask to take part in.

"If they are interested, we will assess them, identify their skills and try to refer them to a job," Galloway said.

People who participate are not guaranteed jobs, but the program may bolster their job prospects.

There are many people now enrolled in the entitlement program that in the past held jobs, Galloway said. The biggest influx are those who lost their jobs when manufacturing moved overseas.

These people are employable but have difficulty finding work because of stigmas against food aid recipients. Part of the program is getting employers to look past this and at a potential employees ability to work.

Food and nutrition recipients who are interested in the program may contact Rhonda Priest.

People can meet Priest in person at the Scotland County Department of Social Services, located at 1405 West Boulevard, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or at the local N.C. Employment Security Commission office at 303 N. Main Street from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

She may also be reached at 276-4260 extension 13.