The total number of Iowans requesting jobless benefits has fallen below 84,000, although initial claims were higher during the week of Aug. 9 than the previous week.
The number of weekly continuing claims was 83,610, down nearly 8,500 from the previous week, according to the Globe Gazette.
Cerro Gordo County jobless claims have trended downward but do occasionally show spikes. The worst time in the county was early April when claims topped 1,000. Then employment was estimated around 11.5% including those who had not filed for benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the prior peak unemployment rate in January 2010 at 8.2%.
Information from Iowa Workforce Development reveals that the county's current unemployment rate trough the end of June sits at 7.7%, not too far from the 20-year high.
Unemployment insurance benefit payments to Iowans totaled more than $23 million the week of Aug. 9.
Most claims were made from workers in the manufacturing industry, followed by self-employed and independent contractors. Other industries that have seen high numbers of filers include health care and social assistance, construction and accommodation and food service establishments.
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