Labour Market Update - Annapolis Valley

•Valley employment is up for the fourth month in a row.  The changes are small but positive and the improvement has been in full-time positions.  The number of part-time jobs has declined over this time period.

•The unemployment rate fell from 9 percent in May to 8 percent in June because of the employment gain and a labour force decline.  The unemployment rate has fallen in each of the last three months.

•Employment is down from June of 2008, however, both in full and part-time jobs and the unemployment rate was lower then at 7.4 percent.

•Valley employment began a downward trend in September of 2008 but growth returned in March of this year.  While employment has been above last year’s level for each of the first five months of 2009, June’s employment is lower. The rate of growth from seasonal factors so far this year is slower than last year.

•Most of the employment loss over the past year has been in the Goods Sector, particularly in Manufacturing and Construction.  The Service Sector also had its share of losses but has recovered well and now employs more than it did in June of 2008.

ER’s/Wanderers Lounge (Windsor) officially closed June 1 due primarily to a growing lack of disposable income/rising costs.     Hants Journal - June 18, 2009

 

Gaspereau Press (Kentville) have had to make cutbacks: two full-time jobs have been eliminated: an editorial position and a bindery position.  It was also necessary to reduce the marketing and promotions position to part-time hours. Kentville Advertiser - June 2, 2009

 

Kings County Council has given the green light to the Kingsport central water project at a cost of about $2.2 million.  Kentville Advertiser - June 9, 2009

 

Roscoe Construction’s $11.4 million proposal for the tilt-up arena and community room will make up the first phase of the long-awaited Kings Mutual Century Centre. Construction will be slow going through 2009, but the tilt-up arena will likely be raised early in 2010.    Kings County Register - June 25, 2009

 

Construction will begin on North Street in Middleton August 1st on the installation of storm sewers, new sanitary sewers, a new lift station, and curbs and sidewalks with $750,000 in funding from the Canada Infrastructure program. Annapolis County Spectator – June 11, 2009

 

The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) has approved a draft budget for 2009/10 which calls for the reduction of 25 teaching positions due to declining enrolments. To meet the target, there will be no layoffs; the reductions will be made through retirements.    Kings County Register - June 9, 2009

 

The cost of roadwork is up due to high demand for construction throughout the Valley this year.  In light of cost increases, several projects in Kentville have been deferred until next summer’s construction season but no projects will be cancelled.  Kentville Town Council approved awarding 2009 Capital Works projects to Howard Little Excavating in the amount of $1,920,410.    Kentville Advertiser - June 16, 2009