Anderson adds 588 jobs, sets employment record

As Anderson's jobs picture continues to brighten, indications are strong the surge will continue.

The number of employed workers in the county grew by 588 between February and March, raising the employment total to a record 86,988, according to figures released Friday by the state Department of Employment and Workforce.

The county's unemployment total fell by 392 during the same period, pushing the unemployment rate from 4.3 percent to 3.8 percent. Only 10 of the state's 46 counties had a lower unemployment rate.

Randy Hatcher, president of MAU Workforce Solutions, a regional staffing and recruiting agency, expects Anderson County's trend to continue.

"We're in a sweet spot here," Hatcher said, referring to improving sales in the auto industry and manufacturing operations in general.

More:RBC Aerostructures to expand Oconee facility

"I think companies are just starting to feel the effects of the tax package (passed by Congress in December), which are designed to encourage companies to expand operations and invest in a larger workforce.

"I would expect it to continue to grow," Hatcher said. "The Anderson office right now reports that clients are hiring at an unprecedented level, and we've got hiring going on ourselves (at MAU)."

The number of workers topped the previous record of 86,930 reported in September of 2017, Anderson County officials said. The county's labor force (the combined total of employed and unemployed) also reached a record high of 90,441, surpassing the previous high mark of 90,333 set in June 2017. 

"There's a lot of movement right now, because good workers are hard to get and keep. It's a good situation for job seekers," Hatcher said.

More:Anderson gaining ground as manufacturing hub

The number of employed Anderson County residents has increased by 1,012 in the past year.

“All the work we’ve put into building a solid manufacturing base is allowing us now to take advantage of a booming regional economy,” Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said. “It is critical that we sustain our economic development program so we can continue to ensure our citizens will have good jobs with good wages.”

Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the state Department of Employment and Workforce, said the statewide numbers reflect a rapidly growing workforce. Unemployment rates fell in every county in March.

"More and more people are entering the workforce as businesses continue to add a record number of jobs and hire a record number of South Carolinians," Stanton said.

During the month, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent as 2,059 people found work, raising the number of employed to an all-time high of 2,225,456. The state’s labor force rose by 2,720, to 2,327,532, while the number of unemployed increased by 661 to 102,076 people.

More:Arthrex Inc. begins Anderson expansion that will add 1,000 jobs

Since March 2017, the South Carolina labor force has grown by 21,012 people, and employment gains totaled 18,810.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged for the sixth consecutive month, remaining at 4.1 percent.

The state’s job count rose in the sectors of leisure and hospitality (an additional 11,200 jobs); education/health services (an additional 5,500 jobs); and trade/transportation (an additional 5,300 jobs).

Statewide, the only industries recording job losses during the month were manufacturing (a loss of 2,300 jobs); construction (a loss of 1,100 jobs); and financial activities (a loss of 500 jobs).

Since March 2017, not seasonally adjusted, non-farm jobs were up 35,600 overall in South Carolina.

Follow Abe Hardesty on Twitter@abe_hardesty