Construction permits issued in Watauga County had the estimated values:
2009 . . . $57.3 million
2008 . . . $88.7 million
2007 . . . $141 million
2006 . . . $135 million
2005 . . . $119 million.
The Employment Security Commission reported unemployment in Watauga County increased from 7.0% in October to 7.4% in November. That means 1744 willing workers were unable to land jobs. According to the JLF’s Becki Gray, unemployment has not been so high since World War II (though methods of calculating have changed). The statewide average unemployment rate is 10.7%.
