Lincoln County’s unemployment numbers are up from September toOctober, following the state’s upward trend as well.

October’s numbers show Lincoln County up from 8.9 percent inSeptember to 10.0 percent in October. Brookhaven-Lincoln CountyChamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield saidsome of that change is not only due to the overall state climate,but also to the closing of a long-standing lumber mill, which costthe area roughly 100 jobs.

“The October figures we’re seeing reflect the job losses fromColumbus Lumber, as well as other seasonal related job losses,” hesaid. “The good news is we didn’t fall any farther than wedid.”

Brumfield said that with the recent purchase of Columbus Lumberby Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc. the figures should bepositively impacted shortly.

“With the new jobs coming to the facility in coming months, weshould see a more positive effect in our numbers,” he said.

Another positive, Brumfield said, is that Lincoln County isdoing well compared to other surrounding counties, with AmiteCounty being the only one lower this month at 9.7 percent. That’sup from September’s 8.7 percent.

“Our standing in regards to other counties in the region stillholds in relatively good position comparatively speaking,”Brumfield said. “All things considered, our numbers are fairlyhealthy and could have been much worse.”

Pike County is up to 10.3 percent from September’s 9.9 percent,and Copiah is up 10.4 percent from 9.9 percent the month before.Franklin County also hovered in the 10 range in October, at 10.6percent, up from 9.2 percent.

Lawrence County is up to 12.0 percent from 10.4 in September,and Walthall logged an 11.2 October percentage rate over 10.4percent the month before.

Jefferson County held steady at 15.6 percent through bothSeptember and October.

The state’s average went up from 8.9 percent to 9.5 percent onthe average in October.