National Unemployment is Down, But Unemployment in Atlantic County Remains at 12.4 Percent

To the editor:

We are all ecstatic that the national unemployment rate has fallen to 8.5 percent. Although our nation's job growth is modest at best, the United States economy has had 22 consecutive months of job growth.

Unfortunately, the unemployment rate in Atlantic County is currently at 12.4 percent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our rate has been hovering at over 11 or 12 percent since 2009. The last time our unemployment rate was at 8.5 percent was in the fall of 2008.

The recent news regarding Pathmark and Genuardi's, combined with the struggling casino industry, has made many workers fearful that their jobs will be lost. Even local "mom and pop" establishments have been forced to close or lay off workers.

Although the federal and state governments have taken initiatives to induce economic growth, we need our county and municipalities to help bring good paying jobs back to South Jersey.

Mike Suleiman
Galloway, NJ

Editor's Note: Mike Suleiman is the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Galloway Township.