Local job creation back on robust path

TRI-CITIES, Tenn. – The local jobs economy recovered from its July doldrums and was back in full force in August. Last month’s seasonally adjusted total shows 200 new jobs. That’s 6,100 more than August last year and 4,400 more than the pre-pandemic benchmark, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

With last month’s gains, the local economy has a robust monthly growth rate of 542 jobs.

Employment is up by 2,870 from last year, and the unemployment rate increased to 3.5%. The long-term trend (12-month moving average) for both the labor force and employment have seen a slight growth rate decrease since June, while the year-to-date trend is up.

Job sectors that have gained last month include:

• Manufacturing
• Financial activities.
• Professional and business services.
• Education and health services.
• Leisure and hospitality.

The biggest gains were in government – driven by school starting – and leisure and hospitality.

Jobs decline in wholesale and retail trade sectors.

According to Jobs4Tn, there are 8,757 open jobs in the region’s two metro areas. That’s the lowest number since April.

There are 3,445 open jobs in the Johnson City metro area. Firms reporting the most open positions include:

• ETSU – 141
• Ingles Markets – 109
• Food City – 71
• BWX Technologies – 62
• State of Franklin Health Care – 57.

There are 5,313 open jobs in the Kingsport-Bristol metro area: Firms reporting the most open positions include:

• Eastman Chemical – 277
• Food City – 177
• Ballad Health – 96
• McDonald’s – 59.

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