Reading/Berks Jobless Rate Falls In February

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Some better economic news for the City of Reading and Berks County was released for February 2011.  The jobless rate in Berks County fell to 8.1 percent and the City of Reading’s jobless rate dropped to 12.5 percent.  Berks County saw a third straight month of decline in the unemployment rate.  State and local government hiring helped lower the jobless rate.  Schuylkill County (Pottsville) saw a decline in their jobless rate to 9.1 percent.

Major labor markets with higher unemployment than Reading/Berks were Johnstown (8.4 percent), Philadelphia (8.5 percent), Lehigh Valley (8.7 percent) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (9.0 percent)

The State College metro area had the lowest jobless rate at 5.3 percent.  Other metro areas with low jobless rates were Lebanon (6.3 percent), Lancaster (6.8 percent), Pittsburgh (7.0 percent), Harrisburg (7.1 percent) and York (7.6 percent).

Reading and Johnstown tied for the third-highest jobless rate for PA cities (12.5 percent).  Allentown was second with 12.7 percent and Hazleton took top honors with 14.9 percent.

Bradford County had the lowest county jobless rate with 5.1 percent.  This is due to the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in Bradford County.

Pennsylvania’s jobless rate was 8.0 percent and the U.S. rate was 8.9 percent for February 2011.

TriCounty Community Network Activity Schedule

TCN Meetings & Events

Event	Date & Time	Location
6th Annual Healthy Lifestyles ExpoTCN Mini-Workshops for Seniors & CaregiversPresented by the TCN CARE & Environmental Awareness ProgramsSee flyer and workshop listing at: http://www.repquigley.com/LifestylesExpo.aspx Sponsored by State Rep. Thomas Quigley, The Mercury, Montgomery County Community College, and TCN	FridayApril 159:30am-1:30pm	Montgomery County Community CollegeWest Campus101 College DrivePottstown
April Membership MeetingTaking Back the Tap with Water FiltrationLearn why buying bottled water is not the answer and how to make your water at home and work safer for all uses.Presented by the TCN Environmental Awareness Program Sponsored by the Chiropractic & Wellness Center http://www.spinemassageandrehab.com/index.php  Register by Friday, April 15th.  Call 610-705-3301, Ext. 2	TuesdayApril 198am-10am	Montgomery County Community CollegeWest Campus101 College DrivePottstown Community Room
Cinco de Mayo Networking EventJoin TCN for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking at a fundraising eventSponsored by Atria Woodbridge Place and ManorCare Health Services. Music provided by High Street Music Company.$25 for TCN Members* $35 for Non-Members *$20 for TCN Members who pay by April 29th. Payment must be received by April 29th for discount. Ticket info: 610-705-3301, Ext. 2	ThursdayMay 57pm-9pm	Atria Woodbridge Place1191 Rapps Dam Rd. Kimberton
Youth Leadership Summit Presented by the TCN Build Up Youth Program	TuesdayMay 10	Berean Conference Center Pottstown
May Membership MeetingHosted & Sponsored by Frederick Mennonite Communityhttp://www.frederick-mennonite.org/	TuesdayMay 178am-10am	Frederick Mennonite Community2849 Big Road Frederick
TriCounty Community Career Fair Presented by the TCN Exelon Nuclear Workforce Development ProgramSponsored by Exelon Nuclear, United Way SEPA, Sunnybrook, TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County Community College, Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board, and TCN	WednesdayMay 1811am-1pm	Sunnybrook Ballroom50 N. Sunnybrook Rd Pottstown

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