Northwest Arkansas' unemployment rate fell to 5.6 percent in February, but a lot of people are still looking for jobs.
Mel Redman, chief executive officer of Redman & Associates, said he received more than 3,000 applications for about 30 openings.
By The Numbers
February 2014 Unemployment Rates
• Northwest Arkansas: 5.6 percent
• Fort Smith: 7.4 percent
• Hot Springs: 7.7 percent
• Jonesboro: 7.1 percent
• Little Rock: 6.7 percent
• Pine Bluff: 10.2 percent
• State: 7.5 percent
• Nation: 7 percent
Source: Bureau Of Labor Statistics
"The response is just amazing," he said. "I know not all the applicants are unemployed people, but many people who feel they are under-employed."
The local unemployment rate was down from 6.1 percent in February 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state's rate this February was 7.5 percent and the national rate was 7 percent. None of these rates are seasonally adjusted.
Northwest Arkansas is part of the metropolitan statistical area that includes Washington, Benton and Madison counties in Arkansas and McDonald County, Mo.
Redman announced in October he was moving some of the manufacturing of his battery-powered ride-on toys from China to Rogers. The toys are sold at Walmart. He said production is slated to start in early June, and he will run three shifts, each with eight workers. He still has about 15 positions to fill.
Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas, said a Jobs Openings and Labor Turnover Survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows more people are quitting their jobs and looking for something better.
"People tend not to quit their jobs when the economy is tanking because they might not be able to find anything else," she said. "When people start quitting their jobs, it is a positive indication for the economy."
Redman said he believes his job openings are drawing so many applications because they pay an average of $18.80 an hour.
"We have people every day stop by the factory and check on their applications," he said. "We are able to hire a very strong work force."
The area's labor force grew to 233,800 in February, up from 231,000 a year earlier. The labor force was 230,100 in January. Labor force is the total people employed or looking for work.
Manuel Rodriguez, manager at ASAP Services, said business has picked up the past couple of years. ASAP is a temporary and permanent staffing service based in Springdale.
Rodriguez said business tends to increase this time of year. ASAP specializes in job placements at industrial, construction and general labor positions.
"Business are requiring more help, which means there is less qualified help available," he said. "Good workers can find good jobs."
NW News on 04/10/2014