In a month when preliminary data showed the statewide unemployment rate remained at 6.6%, reports revealed that unemployment rates increased in all 12 of Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan service areas from November to December.
However, the year-over-year snapshot was better, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary data, which were released today by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Year over year, rates either declined or remained unchanged in 10 metro areas, according to preliminary estimates of employment statistics. The December 2012 rates (not seasonally adjusted) ranged from 4.6% in metro Madison to 8.3% in metro Racine.
Among the 12 largest metropolitan areas, which include cities and suburban areas, Racine and Janesville had the highest rates with 8.3% and 8.0%, respectively.
Meanwhile, 25 of the 32 cities with at least 25,000 residents had rate increases from November to December, and seven had either a decrease or no change in the month-over-month rate. The city of Madison’s unemployment rate stood at 4.2%, while Sun Prairie’s was 5.6%.
Year over year, 15 of the state’s municipalities had an increase, while 17 had either a decrease or no change. The rates ranged from 3.1% in Caledonia to 11.9% in Racine.
The preliminary data are subject to change because they’re based on unemployment insurance claims and a small monthly sample of Wisconsin homes (0.06%).
The most accurate count of state jobs data is the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which is based on a survey of roughly 95% of Wisconsin employers. The most recent QCEW showed that Wisconsin added 35,381 private-sector jobs from June 2011 to June 2012.
The DWD also said state revenue collections through December are up 2.6% in fiscal year 2013, which began last July 1, and new business formation in 2012 was up 8.4% over 2011.
Mining for jobs
The employment report comes amid a legislative debate over mining reform to accommodate a proposed iron mine in northern Wisconsin. Proponents claim the mine, which would be built by Gogebic Taconite, will create 2,000 construction jobs as the mine is built, employ 700 people, and create 2,100 jobs to support the mine.
Gov. Scott Walker and business groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce have endorsed a Republican-sponsored mining reform bill, which proponents say creates a more reasonable regulatory process.
The GOP bill faces opposition over its potential environmental impacts. The mine would be built on the border between Ashland and Iron counties in one of the state’s pristine environmental areas.
Democrats, who are now in the minority in both the State Assembly and the State Senate, have introduced their own bill, but it has little chance of passage.
