Job market improves in Yuba-Sutter

More people are working in Yuba-Sutter than a year ago.

The region's unemployment rate fell to 16.8 percent last month after adding nearly 2,000 jobs over the past year, according to data released Friday by the state's Employment Development Department. It's the lowest jobless rate for a November since 2008 when it hit 13.7 percent and the economy started souring.

The area follows California and the United States, which both saw unemployment drop over the last year, the state from 12.5 percent to 10.9 percent, the nation from 9.3 percent to 8.2 percent.

Even with the good news, Sutter and Yuba counties wallow. Sutter County's 17.4 percent jobless rate ranks 56th out of California's 58 counties; Yuba County ranks 51st with 15.9 percent unemployment.

Codey Webb hasn't benefited from the spurt of local jobs. The 28-year-old hunted for one on Friday afternoon at the Yuba County One-Stop Center in Marysville.

It's nothing new for Webb. He has submitted 60-70 applications over the last year since he lost his job as a shift supervisor at Sunsweet Growers, he has posted resumes online and he has applied for openings up and down the state.

"I've been applying for everything," Webb said, "from fast food to construction to farming — anything."

Webb might want to try bidding for a job in the government, which added 700 jobs to the local economy over the last year, according to state data. But not in Yuba City or Sutter County.

The city hasn't hired anyone this year, said Darin Gale, economic development manager. The county, on the other hand, hired for some positions, but to make up for enticing 35 employees to retire early at the beginning of the year, said Karen Ropp, Sutter County's human resources director.

"We're struggling to find dollars to keep service levels where they're at," Ropp said.

Jeri Ramirez is struggling, too, after losing her job as a guard supervisor when the Leo Chesney Female Community Correctional Facility closed in Live Oak more than two months ago. She worked there 23 years.

Ramirez said she has surveyed the numbers and reports showing more jobs and less unemployment, but they don't jibe with what she is experiencing.

"I just don't see it," she said. "It's just real hard out there right now."

Ramirez submitted 20 applications, some to other correctional facilities, although she would rather get into something new, like working sales at a department store or other retailer.

The numbers look promising. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, Yuba-Sutter boasts more retail jobs than it's had in three years, according to state data.

It hasn't helped Ramirez, at least not yet. Retailers aren't exactly looking for a woman in her 60s, she said.

"They go for a younger crowd," she added, smiling.

Ramirez plans to keep applying until something comes through, preferably a job offering benefits with a company that won't fold.

"I just want something where I can feel secure."

CONTACT reporter Jonathan Edwards at 749-4780.