COLUMBIA — Beaufort and Jasper counties both saw their unemployment rate grow more than a full percentage point from May to June.
Beaufort County’s jobless rate rose from 6.8 percent in May to 7.9 percent last month, while Jasper County jumped from 6.9 percent to 8.1.
The state as a whole, however, was more stable. South Carolina’s rate edged up from 8 percent to 8.1, continuing South Carolina’s longstanding position lagging behind the nation’s recovery. The national jobless rate was 7.6 percent.
In South Carolina, trade, transportation, and utilities grew by 7,200 jobs, while professional and business services added 4,400, and leisure and hospitality gained 2,900. Construction jobs increased by 1,100. and manufacturing grew by 1,000.
Other industries shed positions, including 1,200 in education and health, 600 in financial activities, and 200 in government.
Beaufort and Jasper counties have typically enjoyed lower unemployment rates than other counties, in part because of the coast’s higher retiree population and reliable hospitality industry. The jobs picture is likely to improve further in the upcoming year, as some large-scale developments take shape.
A geriatric post-acute care facility in Bluffton is estimated to create 325 full-time jobs with an average salary of $48,000, according to projections PACE Healthcare submitted to South Carolina regulators. Project leaders are still trying to secure financing for the facility, which could cost nearly $100 million, including $55 million to acquire real estate.
More recently, a Georgia development company, Jaz Development, has proposed a brownfield clean up plan as part of its effort to purchase 66 acres in Bluffton near the Crescent residential community. The company’s plan is to construct a regional shopping center.