Appreciable drop in Oconee joblessness

Every third Friday of the month at least one officer worker at the Oconee Economic Alliance has an eye out for the latest jobless percentages for the county and the state.  Emily Hodge and her co-workers were pleased today to see the state’s latest report (for June.)  It shows a drop in the percentage of those out of work but actively trying to return to the workforce.  For June, the Oconee percentage was 7.5%–down from May’s 11.1.  It’s seen as a sign that Oconee employers and workers may have begun to weather the pandemic better than others.  The state’s June average was 8.7% and Oconee’s was lower than three other South Carolina counties:  Anderson, Pickens, and Greenville.  Hodge is the director of research and existing industry for the County Alliance.