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Tag: Augusta County

Va. jobless claims fall to lowest level since March

The number of initial jobless claims filed last week fell to its lowest level since the pandemic’s employment effects began to be felt in mid-March, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday.

Initial jobless claims in Virginia dropped by 29.7% last week compared with the previous filing week, according to the VEC, while continued claims fell by 10.9%.

For the week ending Nov. 28, 8,606 Virginians filed initial claims for unemployment, a decrease of 3,628 from the previous week. 

Last week, 72,305 Virginians remained unemployed — 55,308 higher than the 16,997 continued claims from the same period last year. People receiving unemployment benefits through the VEC must file weekly unemployment claims in order to continue receiving benefits.

“This drop indicated a continuation of its recent declining trend and was over 80% lower than its May 16 filing week peak,” according to the VEC. “The continued claims total is mainly comprised of those recent initial claimants who continued to file for unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The regions of the state that have been most impacted continue to be Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads. 

Below are the top 10 localities, listed by number of initial unemployment claims, for the week ending Nov. 28:

  • Prince William County, 567
  • Virginia Beach, 495
  • Fairfax County, 485
  • Norfolk, 450
  • Richmond, 293
  • Portsmouth, 209
  • Augusta County, 200
  • Chesterfield County, 166
  • Henrico County, 160
  • Newport News, 155

Nationwide, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for last week was 712,000, a decrease of 75,000 from the previous week’s revised level, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. There were 216,827 initial claims during the same week last year.

For the month of October, the unemployment rate in Virginia fell from 6.1% to 5.1% when compared to September, and was 1.5% lower than the national rate, according to the VEC.

The Harrisonburg region reported the lowest unemployment rate in Virginia at 3.6% in October, while the Bluefield region in Southwest Virginia showed the highest unemployment rate at 6%. The Bluefield, Richmond and Norfolk/Newport News micropolitan statistical areas were the only regions in Virginia to report unemployment rates higher than the state average for the month.

The localities with the lowest unemployment rates for October include:

  • Highland County, 2.5%
  • Madison County, 2.8%
  • Poquoson County, 2.9%
  • Rockingham County, 3.2%
  • Falls Church, 3.2%

The localities with the highest unemployment rates for October include:

  • Petersburg, 13.8%
  • Emporia, 10.6%
  • Hopewell, 9.9%
  • Martinsville, 9.5%
  • Portsmouth, 9.1%

 

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Hershey announces $135M Augusta County expansion

The Hershey Co. will invest $135 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Augusta County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The 90,000-square-foot expansion of the Stuarts Draft facility will create 110 jobs.

Hershey Chocolate of Virginia Inc. has operated in Augusta County for more than 30 years, employing more than 1,000 workers. The Augusta County facility is Hershey’s second-largest U.S. plant. In May 2019, Hershey announced a $104 million expansion of the Virginia facility, which created 65 jobs.

“The Shenandoah Valley has been an excellent place for Hershey to do business and be a part of the community for 38 years now,” Jason Reiman, The Hershey Co. senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, said in a statement. “We are proud to continue to invest and grow in an area that gives our employees a great place to live and work. Increasingly, Augusta County and Virginia are critical to our company’s growth and ability to deliver iconic and beloved products to consumers around the world.”

The Hershey, Pennsylvania-based chocolate producer giant celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. With more than 80 brands, Hershey currently employs approximately 16,500 people and brings in $8 billion in annual revenues. Some of its brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, IceBreakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.

“As we work to accelerate Virginia’s economic recovery, existing corporate partners like The Hershey Co. are leading the way with new hiring and investment,” Northam said in a statement. “This major expansion is the company’s second in just over a year, and is a strong testament to the Shenandoah Valley’s ability to attract and retain high-caliber manufacturers. We thank Hershey for its continued confidence in Virginia and its people, and look forward to the company’s next chapter of growth in our commonwealth.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Augusta County to secure the project for Virginia, and Northam approved a $1.1 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to help Augusta County with the project. The company can also earn a $500,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Performance program. VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program will help with job creation and funding services.

“For over three decades, The Hershey Co. has been an important contributor to the Shenandoah Valley’s economy and reputation as a top location for food and beverage manufacturers,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a statement. “It is an honor to partner with Hershey on another major investment and expansion, especially during these challenging times, and we stand ready to do what we can to ensure the company’s Stuarts Draft operation continues to thrive.”

 

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