NCW Unemployment Update

Initial regular unemployment claims were up across much of North Central Washington last week, with Chelan and Grant counties just slightly growing in claims.

According to the Employment Security Department, Douglas County saw the biggest rise in claims at 40%. Okanogan, however, was a major outlier this week, with weekly initial claims dropping by 58% to just 15. Claims rose by just over 1% statewide.

In good news, statewide ongoing claims continued its sharp fall, dropping by 15% last week.