Lincoln County claimed the lowest area jobless rate for August,but a dark cloud looms on the horizon for September totals, saidMississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC) officials.

For August, Lincoln County posted a 4.3 percent unemploymentrate. That represented a three-tenths of a point jump overJuly.

However, Brookhaven MESC office manager David Holland saidtotals for the month were taken the week of Aug. 12. That meansthat 119 job losses as the result of the Aug. 17 closure of AuburnSportswear were not reflected.

“It will be next month,” Holland said about September totals.”There may be some offsetting factors, but that will be afactor.”

Regarding the August numbers, Holland said there were no majorindicators that contributed to the three-tenths increase. The staterate was also up three-tenths to 5 percent for the month.

Nevertheless, Holland indicated the county total representedgood news.

“Only 20 counties in the state had rates less than Lincoln’s,”he said, “and we have a lower rate than any other county in oursurrounding area.”

Lincoln County’s position was aided by a nine-tenths of a pointincrease in the Amite County rate. That county, which usually hasthe lowest total, had a jobless rate of 4.4 percent in August.

In addition to Lincoln and Amite, Pike, Walthall and Copiahcounties also posted rate increases.

Pike County saw the largest increase. Its rate was upnine-tenths to 5.8 percent.

In Walthall County, joblessness rose seven-tenths to 5.9percent.

Like Lincoln, Copiah County’s rate climbed three-tenths to 5.5percent.

Two counties, Franklin and Lawrence, saw rate declines towardthe end of summer.

Franklin’s rate fell two-tenths to 6.8 percent and Lawrence’srate was down one-tenth to 7.1 percent. Holland said the LawrenceCounty rate was good for workers displaced by the closing ofKellwood.

“A lot of them are finding jobs,” Holland said, while alsomentioning job training enrollment in Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege courses and job-finding assistance provided by MESC.

Elsewhere in the area, Jefferson County joblessness held steadyat 16.1 percent. That continued to be the highest in the area andsecond-highest in the state behind Holmes County’s 16.7percent.

State MESC officials said the August increases wereexpected.

“Each year, we usually see a small increase in August asagricultural work cuts back and students give up their summer jobsto return to school,” said Curt Thompson, MESC executivedirector.

Overall, 29 Mississippi counties were below the state’s 5percent rate. The U.S. rate for August was 4.9 percent.

Thompson expected small rate declines in September and Octoberas agriculture activity prepares for harvest and education sectorjobs return. Any state effects from the Sept. 11 terrorist attackswill be reflected in October totals, he said.