Washington unemployment rate continues dropping

WASHINGTON - Unemployment in Washington County has been slowly decreasing after peaking in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many employers are seeking new employees, according to the Washington Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said she has been going out and talking with businesses about how they have been affected by COVID-19.

Many of the conversations the Chamber has had with businesses concern their struggle to find employees.

Washington has had low unemployment rates for a while, Redlinger said. The lowest being in October 2018 at 1.8 percent.

Since then, the rate has slowly increased, but the Washington area still has many job opportunities, Redlinger said.

At the end of 2019, the unemployment rate was at 2 percent. During the pandemic, the highest spike was in April at 10.8 percent.

The most recent numbers in July put Washington County at 4.5 percent, lower than the Iowa rate of 6.6 percent.

Washington County also has the lowest unemployment in the Tri-County area, with Jefferson at 7.1 percent and Henry at 6 percent.

Layoffs at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort earlier in the year and the closure of the McCready Home left some without jobs, Redlinger said. But Redlinger added that healthcare workers are in high demand, and the casino is now looking for new employees.

Bazooka Farmstar has 10 positions listed for hire, ranging from trade skills to professional employees.

Redlinger said the community is fortunate that there are many job opportunities, with three of the top employers being the hospital, the school and Riverside casino.

Other businesses such as Four Corners, Café Dodici and Greiner Buildings are searching for additional employees.

Redlinger said there are businesses that have grown or seen record sales during the pandemic and are now seeking more employees in areas such as construction, hobby-related businesses and home improvement stores.

Redlinger said there are families still looking for work, and some may not be able to enter the workforce due to health concerns, which may be increasing the unemployment rates.