Unemployment Rises in Glen Cove

The unemployment rate in Glen Cove increased slightly from 7.0 to 7.1 percent in December — a move which differs from the Long Island and county-wide trends -- according to the New York State Department of Labor report released on Thursday.

There were 935 Glen Cove residents without jobs last month, compared to 925 in November, and 963 this time last year.

Glen Cove's rate decreased two tenths of a percent since this time last year when the local jobless rate was 7.3 percent, labor statistics show. The economic progress in Glen Cove has been drastic since January, when the unemployment rate peaked at 9.5 percent.

President of the  Mary Stanco said that the Villa townhouses, ferry terminal, and Glen Isles are among the city's various projects that will improve the city's economy.

"All the big businesses are leaving Glen Cove because taxes are too high and commercial rent is too expensive," Stanco said. "We need to get better and bigger. We have all of these projects going on that will create new jobs; we need to get going."

In Nassau County, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 percent in December 2010, down from 6.9 percent in November. It was also at 6.7 percent in December in December 2009. There were 45,903 unemployed Nassau County residents in December, down from 47,895 in November, and 46,103 a year ago.

The unemployment rate in New York state was down slightly last month at 8.2 percent down from November's 8.2 percent. In December 2009 the state unemployment rate was 8.9 percent. The Nationwide unemployment rate in December was 9.4 percent.

Michael Crowell, an economist with the state Labor Department said the local numbers are "basically the same," noting that they fell within the margin of error. "The thing that jumped out is that the 2010 and 2009 tied for the highest unemployment rate in December in this data series, which started in 1990." Asked why, Crowell said, "The recession is the short answer."

But there are reasons for optimism according to Crowell. 

"The bright light is education and health services,"  he said. "Long Island added 6,500 jobs over the year." Many of those jobs, were in hospitals and doctors offices, Crowell said.

Things were also looking up in the private sector, where there was a net total of 8,800 jobs – nine-tenths of a percent – over the year."

"That's about half the rate we were going at before the recession," he said.

Crowell noted that in 2009, Long Island lost 40,000 jobs year over year. Now there are gains in the private sector. "Just as that's happening, government is losing jobs, putting a damper on the gains made in the private sector," he said.

"Those job losses are mainly in the local school districts. We lost 4,500 jobs in government as a whole compared to the year prior." The cuts, he said, were "due largely to cuts in state aid."

The net result is some growth, but not large growth.

"Things are getting better but not very fast," Crowell  said.

Vincent Abbondandolo, co-owner of the  said that the rise in unemployment rates is seasonal.

"It may have something to do with outdoor day workers who can't work in the winter," he said.

While each week, there are the has posted several job opportunities since September.

"We are still seeking a Performing Arts Coordinator. We are looking for someone who loves working with kids and can implement a performing arts program, whether its dance, music, theatre or all three," said Executive Director Melissa Tierney. "We have a great dance facility courtesy of Club Alumna Ashanti and we would like to bring on a talented, passionate individual who can inspire our youth."