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Show County jobless rate climbs Unemployment in Summit County in May rose by nearly two percent, primarily because of the decline in tourism, according to Dave Turner, manager of the Utah Job Service office in Heber. The jobless rate of 10.2 percent in May marks an increase from April's 8.3 percent rate. But it compares favorably with the unemployment rate in May, 1984, which stood at 10.6 percent. "We ususally see an increase in the unemployment figure during the month of May in Summit County," said Turner. "It's just that time of year when things slow down." While Summit County endures one of the highest unemployment marks among counties in the state, it is considerably better off than Juab and Wasatch Counties, which have 16.2 percent and 16 percent jobless rates, according to Turner. The unemployment rate for the state during May stood at 6.2 percent, down from the April mark of 6.5 percent. In May, 1984, the rate was 6.3 percent. While unemployment in Summit County rose in May, there was, at the same time, a 9 .7 percent increase in the number of wage and salaried jobs, according to Turner. That increase, however, was offset by the growth of the civilian labor force by 6.5 percent. What's ahead for Summit County during the summer season? If last year is any indication, the unemployment unemploy-ment rate should drop, said Turner. In June, 1984, for example, the jobless rate dropped to 9.6 percent from May's 10.6 percent standing, he said. In July it fell to 8.9 percent and in August to 6.8 percent. But the pattern of a year ago may not apply to the forthcoming summer months. "I don't expect the great drop that we had last year," said Turner. "I would expect a smaller drop in the unemployment rate, primarily because the economy is soft. "But there are some factors out there which might affect the rate, including a possible reduction in the prime rate," he added. |