Recently released jobs report shows drop in CA unemployment including Fresno County

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The latest unemployment rate said the number of people looking for work is down throughout the state-- including Fresno County.

"It seems like everything is kind of holding steady, and hopefully, we'll get positive news as far as employers looking to relocate here to Fresno County," said Steven Gutierrez, EDD Labor Market Consultant.

The latest data shows Fresno County's unemployment rate has dipped from 9.3 to 8.7 since July. With numbers way down compared to five years ago

Gutierrez said he isn't surprised by the drop. He said this is the time of year for an increase in ag production and construction in the Central Valley.

"As we get into fall and get into winter, you know, the crops go dormant. We start to see the increase in the unemployment rate and that is kind of the normal seasonal pattern we seem not only in Fresno County but throughout the Valley."

Construction is already underway here in West Central Fresno for a new Vallarta Supermarket. The store will add 250 jobs to the community. Gricelda Escobar with Vallarta said 80-percent of those positions will be full-time

"As far as benefits, we offer vacation pay, sick pay. We offer medical, dental, and vision if the team member wants to join, and also a 401k plan."

While experts agree there may not be an overnight solution to further shrink Fresno County's unemployment rate. The numbers seem to finally be moving in the right direction.

"We're continuing to see positive growth. Probably not the growth some people would like to have it, but as long as we continue to see the unemployment rate continue to tick down from the previous year, and kind of hold steady, that's good news for Fresno County," said Gutierrez.

Experts predict we will see slightly better numbers for September before the ag industry really slows down and the winter months give way to higher unemployment rates.