Alabama has been seeing declines in its unemployment figures for
the last few months, but the most recent jobs report for October
2012 shows the state is holding steady at a higher average than
that of the United States – just over 8 percent. Now, there
are some companies looking to re-open businesses that have
previously gone silent, an indication that further progress may yet
be seen.
Alabama Online reported that Louisiana-Pacific will be
revitalizing its Clarke County, Alabama, location. The firm is
seeking more than 130 skilled craftsmen for contract and permanent
positions who specialize in pressboard and plywood substitute
fabrication. In order to gauge the success of the hiring initiative
Louisiana-Pacific will run the plant at half capacity, and if the
venture pans out, may upgrade to full output and commence more
hiring at that point.
The Southeast Sun reported that this bodes well for Alabama, a
state predicted to remain in the doldrums of the recession longer
than most other territories in the United States. The most recent
October job report showed that job creation was slowing down
statewide, a bad sign considering that holiday employment should
have created at least some inflation.