At February's County Council meeting - Wicomico officials had to re-base their workforce employment numbers from 49,000 to 47,600 as the county experienced an income tax revenue shortfall of approximately 3.4 million dollars. Bottom line - Wicomico County continues to suffer from the effects of the recession as it finds itself sliding back while the rest of the nation tries to gain traction.
Article Published by SBYnews Editorial Staff
| Labor Force Data By County, Not Seasonally Adjusted | |||||||
| 01-2011 through 06-2014 | |||||||
| Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | |||||||
| Unemploy. | Change over prior | ||||||
| County | Period | Labor Force | Employed | Unemployed | Rate % | years 2011 - 2014 | |
| Wicomico | 11-Jan | 52231 | 46838 | 5393 | 10.3 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Feb | 52981 | 47722 | 5259 | 9.9 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Mar | 53601 | 48743 | 4858 | 9.1 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Apr | 53259 | 48653 | 4606 | 8.6 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-May | 53678 | 48994 | 4684 | 8.7 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Jun | 54190 | 49160 | 5030 | 9.3 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Jul | 53873 | 48862 | 5011 | 9.3 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Aug | 53146 | 48132 | 5014 | 9.4 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Sep | 53850 | 48976 | 4874 | 9.1 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Oct | 53011 | 48201 | 4810 | 9.1 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Nov | 52599 | 47690 | 4909 | 9.3 | ||
| Wicomico | 11-Dec | 52369 | 47451 | 4918 | 9.4 | ||
| Wicomico | 12-Jan | 51936 | 46758 | 5178 | 10 | -295 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Feb | 52809 | 47651 | 5158 | 9.8 | -172 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Mar | 52995 | 48202 | 4793 | 9 | -606 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Apr | 52548 | 48193 | 4355 | 8.3 | -711 | |
| Wicomico | 12-May | 53647 | 49171 | 4476 | 8.3 | -31 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Jun | 54344 | 49585 | 4759 | 8.8 | 154 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Jul | 55112 | 50369 | 4743 | 8.6 | 1239 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Aug | 53792 | 49262 | 4530 | 8.4 | 646 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Sep | 53529 | 49208 | 4321 | 8.1 | -321 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Oct | 53333 | 48876 | 4457 | 8.4 | 322 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Nov | 52714 | 48180 | 4534 | 8.6 | 115 | |
| Wicomico | 12-Dec | 52867 | 48086 | 4781 | 9 | 498 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Jan | 51872 | 46806 | 5066 | 9.8 | -64 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Feb | 52155 | 47297 | 4858 | 9.3 | -654 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Mar | 52396 | 47872 | 4524 | 8.6 | -599 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Apr | 52204 | 48050 | 4154 | 8 | -344 | |
| Wicomico | 13-May | 53484 | 49261 | 4223 | 7.9 | -163 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Jun | 53517 | 48991 | 4526 | 8.5 | -827 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Jul | 54107 | 49843 | 4264 | 7.9 | -1005 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Aug | 53274 | 49302 | 3972 | 7.5 | -518 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Sep | 52763 | 48942 | 3821 | 7.2 | -766 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Oct | 52740 | 48814 | 3926 | 7.40% | -593 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Nov | 52563 | 48453 | 4110 | 7.80% | -151 | |
| Wicomico | 13-Dec | 52508 | 48484 | 4024 | 7.70% | -359 | |
| Wicomico | 14-Jan | 51049 | 46711 | 4338 | 8.50% | -823 | |
| Wicomico | 14-Feb | 50905 | 46757 | 4148 | 8.10% | -1250 | |
| Wicomico | 14-Mar | 51203 | 47261 | 3942 | 7.70% | -1193 | |
| Wicomico | 14-Apr | 51312 | 47729 | 3583 | 7.00% | -892 | |
| Wicomico | 14-May | 52566 | 48886 | 3680 | 7.00% | -918 | r |
| Wicomico | 14-Jun | 52724 | 48760 | 3964 | 7.50% | -793 | p |
| -11074 | less | ||||||
| p = preliminary. | SOURCE: BLS, LAUS | workforce | |||||
| r = revised | 31-Jul-14 | ||||||
46 comments:
stop raising takes and be more business friendly. If we keep electing democrats then all we will have left will be government jobs. Pollitt and Conway you have ruled with an iron fist and you did not make the cut. As the queen of hearts says Off with their heads!
I hate to say it, but I knew it. I could easily tell by the traffic volume at where I work. My boss informed me just a few days ago that our sales numbers were still declining and now this bolsters my case. Thank you for publishing this valuable information.
Looks as though someone in our county has overstated income. You know what that equates to, an increase in taxes.
There is a new restaurant opening soon, I believe Green Turtle. I wonder how many they are going to employ.
Going to have to raise taxes so the County can hire more people to advertise how solid the economy really is despite the numbers.
Also, the Cook Out just opened and for such a small building it looks as though they employ a lot of people. They even have Hispanic greeters out in the parking lot directing traffic.
10:45 Did you just fall off the back of the truck?
10:45 - Green Turtle moved from across the street to the former Famous Dave's location. The only change is the location of an empty building.
Our city officials need to re-exam their position on Do Not Give to Solicitors. Last night I noticed the most that I have ever seen at the trestle bridge coming into Salisbury. They are also hanging out at Giant's entrances in great numbers.
Grass cutting even seems to becoming a cut throat business. I had a client who I have been cutting his lawn for several years inform me yesterday that he had an individual stop by and offered to cut his grass for free for the 1st 2 times. And I am not joking.
10:45 Greene turtle isn't new. They just relocated from down the street.
EVERY ONE CALL RICK POLITT AND ASK HIM ABOUT IT.PROB.GOT A PAT ANSWER. ELECTION COMING FOLKS.
To 10:49 Posting -
There is a lot more being sold on Salisbury street corners than is being inferred to in those newly placed signs. This seems to be the new Salisbury economy.
I would like to know who in their right mind would re-elect any of these politicians that help to get ourselves into this mess.
I know some people don't like Bob Culver - but give him a chance, hold your nose and vote for him if you have to. Pollitt has had 8 years and look at the mess we are in. It isn't all about the national economy, but dumb moves made by the Executive's office. There is a leadership vacuum that needs to be filled. Pollitt has GROWN the government. Culver gets that and see where things can be cut. He is looking out for the citizens. So give him a chance, please.
Does the economic development office still have someone working there?What progress are they making?
First thing they could do is stop wasting money and take away all their credit cards. Look at what that would save. Second, they are top heavy (weed unnecessary ones out and make the ones left actually work. Why should the taxpayers keep paying for their morning coffee and donuts. Some taxpayers know about their dinner and drinks (??). They make enough money to pay for their own.Then stop giving all the top people large income raises but the people actually working get nothing. If they were in private business all those at the top would have been fired by now by the owners. But, the taxpayers keep elected them so who is really to blame!!!! The more a politician is elected the more crooked he gets and Wicomico County seems to be above the law compared to other counties.There is so much waste in government but we can not touch them because they are the good ole boys!!!
Been downtown lately ? It's like a ghost town except for the vagrants bumming and harassing people.
Please tell me, 11:26, what are the dumb moves made by the Executive's Office that have affected the job numbers for the county. I would like to know some specifics if we're going to assign blame.
12:41 - seems to me we were doing just fine with a contractual attorney...we make him an employee and now there is a "Legal Department". What is the Executive doing that he needs all that legal fire power? Bet there is a more economical way to handle that and better attorneys too. So I guess he has added to the job numbers ROFL. My bad.
Didn't mean to hurt your feelings Wayne but even you have to admit the county has declined in every way in the last 8 years. Lots of your buddies don't claim Wicomico as home for tax reasons. The county is losing higher bracket tax payers almost daily - and that affects the fabric of the community and makes it a less desirable place to live and start businesses.
1:29, I agree the county is in decline. Are you saying the creation of a legal department is the cause of the economic woes of the county and thus, Pollitt should be blamed? If that's all you've got, it's pretty lame.
The only growth in jobs is government jobs.
Responding to 12:41 - that said; What are the dumb moves made by the Executive's Office that have affected the job numbers for the county. I would like to know some specifics if we're going to assign blame.
Answer: Fact is, Wicomico will have a very hard time climbing out of its morbid financial mess. Nationally, the housing market has always been attributed to leading the nation out of a recession. Here in Wicomico that is virtually impossible. With the impact fees, environmental regulations, storm water management, rain tax, tier maps, critical areas - hell, its a wonder we haven't had a full fledged revolution in this County. And people wonder why crime is rampant? It's a no-brainer even from an imbecile's perspective.
I have noticed since the No Solicitors signs have been placed that it seems as though there are now more than ever. I noticed a few new faces at the trestle bridge location to. Same people are still soliciting at he Northern end also.
To 4:39 - Excellent points. I also could recognize that our local economy is still bad. I consider myself lucky to have even survived amid this mess. There are so many foreclosures in my neighborhood I have lost count. And these abandoned homes have been vacant going on several years now. I agree, Wicomico is in a TERRIBLE financial pickle.
Wicomico's economy is a train wreck. Everyone can see it. No industry to write home about, by and large there simply is not enough private sector jobs. Other than fast food, education, health care, and chicken, there is not very much opportunity. And I agree, without a housing industry it will be a long hard road to hoe. Our local leaders should have all seen this train coming.
The stock market is now down over 300 points today. Has anyone thought that we may be entering another recession. Wicomico hasn't even emerged from the last recession, and things look to be getting worse.
O'Malley wants to be President and he can't even keep things together in his own backyard. If the national news ever catches wind of this, he'll be the laughing stock of the nation.
From the look of the local employment chart, any rebound at all will take several years to even get to where we were before - pre-recession. Personally, I would classify Wicomico as an economic catastrophe.
To 5:15 "Our local leaders should have seen this coming and done something." What is it that you think they should have done? I'm still waiting for evidence that this situation would be any different under a different county executive. Local politicians have little impact on national/global economy. PLEASE, show me some examples of what was done wrong by local leaders that caused this economic wreck that we all are dealing with.
To 5:34 - I was not in favor of the County Executive form of Governance. I have lived here all my life and cannot ever recall Wicomico Co. finances being as bad as they are now. The General Fund balance has now dwindled below what I call the safe zone. Under the former CC form of government, we were much better off than we are today. We don't even have a safe cushion to fall back on. The reserves are depleted and the taxes have been increased so much that it is having a devastating effect on trying to lure any new businesses. I saw a posting above that labeled it a train wreck and I tend to agree.
Please someone remove the beggars from the end of Dunkin Donuts driveway. One tapped on my window and scared me so much I spilled my Latte.
To 5:34PM & 6:05PM Posters
You two can forget about getting anything done here in Wicomico Co., economically speaking. At least until after the election. The current administration is going to try and paint a rose garden when in reality it has become a desert. I know politicians and they'll try and tickle your ears until the cows come home.
It's all about jobs, or lack thereof. There are none! At least not the kind of jobs that pay a decent wage. Just take a look at the number of abandoned houses. Look at the announced Tax Sales. Staggering statistics. This employment report tells it all. These are terrible numbers.
Joe, thank you for publishing these vital statistics. If it were not for Salisbury News, it - like many other important facts would be swept under the rug. I really do appreciate your shining a light on this.
I agree with several of the postings above. The job statistics are horrible. If it keeps up we are going to end up a ghost town. The workforce numbers keep getting smaller and smaller. These numbers don't lie. They are a clear indication of just how bad our local economy really is.
Our local economy is no worse than anywhere else with the same demographics. All those things that 4:39 mentioned are controlled by the county council, not the county exec. He really is a figure head. Council has the power to deny or approve. Maybe we're looking in the wrong office to place this blame.
Vote Republican
Wicomico County Executive
Bob Culver
Wicomico County Council
John Cannon
Matt Holloway
Marc Kilmer
Larry Dodd
Joe Holloway
Wicomico County Circuit Court Judge
MJ Caldwell
To 12:35 Poster -
Wicomico can't recover because of its devastating legislation to the housing industry. Housing has always led a rebound in any economic recovery. However, Wicomico & the State have literally choked this industry into submission. That is why the local economy continues to suck. It is almost impossible to bring turn this ship around in an orderly fashion.
I cannot ever recall Salisbury or Wicomico looking this bad. The Roads are pitiful, their is abundant governmental credit card abuse, crime is Rampant, drugs are everywhere, and there are homeless on virtually every street corner. Foreclosures are everywhere, and industry and jobs have fled like there is no tomorrow. I'll tell you what the State of our State is - CONFUSION!
I am a school teacher and if I were to assign a grade for our area's economic development it would be an E. In virtually every department of our economy we have failed. And the living conditions show it.
Is there anyway with signatures that the executive type of govt be repealed by referendum ? Does anyone know?
No need to worry there was 7 million dollars infused into wicos economy over the last 3 weeks with the ball tournament.
THIS IS REAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT # ON THE 7 MILLION.
TAKE 1000 PPL SPENDING $1000 DOLLARS = 1 MILLION DOLLARS.
OR YOU CAN SAY 7 THOUSAND PPL SPENDING $1000 DOLLARS EACH =7 MILLION.
I do not forsee anything close to that being spent here in the last 3 weeks
Anonymous said...
Is there anyway with signatures that the executive type of govt be repealed by referendum ? Does anyone know?
No need to worry there was 7 million dollars infused into wicos economy over the last 3 weeks with the ball tournament.
THIS IS REAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT # ON THE 7 MILLION.
TAKE 1000 PPL SPENDING $1000 DOLLARS = 1 MILLION DOLLARS.
OR YOU CAN SAY 7 THOUSAND PPL SPENDING $1000 DOLLARS EACH =7 MILLION.
I do not forsee anything close to that being spent here in the last 3 weeks
August 3, 2014 at 11:13 AM
The Wicomico County Government should have never gone to an Executive form of government. It is no where near the smallest Maryland County with an executive form of government. Again it was some short sited Republicans that weren't happy with Democrats being in control so they thought a change in the form of government would change that. How stupid can you get.
This is something that you idiots should keep in mind when you keep pushing for term limits. Your short sited ideas are not the answer. Don't fix what isn't broke. We already have term limits, it's called the ballot box. We live in a Democracy and the voters get to vote for who they want or don't want.
I can see it now we get a great Republican County Executive and the short sited crybabies start moaning because we have term limits. Why don't you Republicans start working for a better party and learn from your mistakes. It may also be a good idea to take notes from the Democrats. They are successful in elections for a reason.
There are only so many lawns and lawn businesses. I thought about taking up painting and might just have to do that in order to survive. It really is a bad situation. There are just no decent jobs. And all of good ones are generally government positions, but it is like a double edged sword in that the increase in taxes to sustain the government actually suppresses the private growth. In the end it is the taxpayers that pay the penalty.
hey 6.56
switch to regular coffee and buy yourself a can of spray mace with the savings on your latte.Also you can save money by not having the garment you spilled the latte on dry cleaned.poverty really still sucks!
People with really bad attitudes are poor employees anyway.Like almost everyone who has commented thus far.I wouldn't hire either one of you.
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