Small Decrease in Nassau Unemployment Rate

Nassau County's unemployment rate sat at 6.8 percent in August, according to statistics released Thursday by the New York State Department of Labor.

The county unemployment rate was 7 percent a year ago.

The Town of Hempstead unemployment rate for August was 7.1 percent, a drop from 7.4 percent the year prior. The unemployment rate had been as low as 6.7 percent in April.

"The recovery in New York State's labor market slowed somewhat in August as we only added 2,500 private sector jobs over the month," said Norman A. Steele, deputy director of the Division of Research and Statistics. "In addition, our statewide unemployment rate increased from 8.2 to 8.3 percent, but remained well below the nation's rate of 9.6 percent in August."

Long Island had 11,300 more private-sector jobs in August than it did in the same month a year ago, a 1.1 percent increase according to the labor department release.

"It seems low, but that's the trend we've had from year-to-year," said Gary Huth, regional analyst for New York State Department of Labor, of the private-sector job growth. "After a deep hole, we need to be stronger to get out of that hole."

The county's unemployment rate was 7.0 percent in August 2009, compared to this August's 6.8 percent.

In all of 2008, the unemployment rate was lowest in April (3.7 percent) but peaked in December at 5.5 percent.

"Far too many people are still out of work or barely surviving paycheck to paycheck, and that needs to be addressed," State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, said Thursday afternoon. "With over 106,000 Long Islanders still unemployed, we need to do more to cut taxes and reduce spending so that businesses can grow and create new jobs."

In Bellmore, some local businesses are still hiring.

Stop & Shop has hired about 25 employees since its renovations in July.

"Right now we only need one person for the meat department," said Lindsey Shapiro, customer service manager.

K.J. Farrell's on Pettit Avenue is hiring for all different positions.

Who Does Your Hair? is seeking assistants for people who are "passionate about hairdressing, have drive, determination and want to work in a buzzing salon environment."

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.