By the numbers: First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Aug. 8 decreased from the previous week’s total. The state labor department figures released today show the initial claims decreased to 2,445 from the previous week’s total of 2,479. For the comparable week a year earlier, there were 2,364. Accommodation and food services had the largest decrease in initial claims, followed by information. The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure of claims, decreased to 2,532 from the previous week’s total of 2,784. Continued unemployment claims claimed for the week ending Aug. 8 decreased to 26,997 compared to 27,591 the previous week. The four-week moving average for such claims increased to 27,611 from the previous week’s average of 27,563.
The tally: The number of rigs actively exploring for oil or gas in Louisiana fell by four this week to 78, according to the weekly tally released today by Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. Across the U.S., the oil and gas rig count was unchanged this week, at 884. Among major oil- and gas-producing states aside from Louisiana, Texas gained six rigs, Alaska was up three and Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming each rose by two. Oklahoma lost four rigs, North Dakota and New Mexico lost two each, and Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia each lost one. Arkansas, California and Utah were unchanged. The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.
Getting SET: The Louisiana Alliance Cultivating Economic Success, which encompasses East Feliciana, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes, is one of two Louisiana regions that have been selected to participate in the USDA Rural Development’s Stronger Economies Together, or SET, program. The other group is SET FOREVER, which includes West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison and Richland parishes. The SET program provides coaching on creating and implementing a practical and viable regional economic development plan, as well as technical assistance and access to tailored regional data to identify opportunities. Faculty at LSU and Southern University will provide assistance, as will Louisiana Economic Development and USDA Rural Development. The two Louisiana regions are among 23 nationwide selected to participate in SET this year. The program has been in operation since 2010.
