Jobless claims on the rise!

Jobless claims increased in June in both Oconee County and South Carolina. The statewide increase was reported slight by the Department of Employment and Workforce. Oconee County, however, saw a full one percentage point increase in the numbers of those filing new claims. The Oconee rate rose from 8.3% in May to 9.3% in June. Oconee’s rate remained about the middle of the pack in a listing of all 46 counties, ranging from a low of 6.9% in Lexington to a high of 16.3% in Marion. Neighboring Anderson and Pickens counties reported rates of 8.2% and 7.9%.