BOSTON — Pittsfield saw its seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate drop to 7 percent during the month of July, compared to 7.8 percent jobless rate statewide.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Tuesday that the July seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates were down not only in Pittsfield but also in the Framingham, Lawrence-Methuen-Salem, Peabody, Barnstable, Amherst, Great Barrington, Nantucket and Tisbury areas; unchanged in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Worcester and North Adams areas and up in the remaining 10 areas.
The Pittsfield area also had the largest over-the-year growth rate at 5.4 percent followed by the Worcester area, at 3.7 percent.
In Pittsfield, out of a work force of 41,773, 38,830 were employed. The metropolitan area had a jobless rate of 7.3 in June; a year ago, the rate was 7.9 compared to the statewide jobless rate of 8.5
Great Barrington jobless rate was 5.4 percent, down from 5.6 in June and 6.0 from a year ago.
North Adams remained the same at 8.8 percent, although that is still down from 9.4 percent a year ago. Some 1,554 were out of work in July out of a work force of 17,647.
Statewide, the July seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8 percent.
Over-the-year, unemployment rates were lower in 21 areas and unchanged in one area. The state unadjusted unemployment rate was down 0.7 of a percentage point from the 8.5 percent rate in July 2010.
The Barnstable and Pittsfield areas had continued strong seasonal job growth rates at 3.6 and 3.2 percent respectively. Over-the-month, Other Services jobs increased in all 12 areas, while Leisure and Hospitality jobs increased in eight of the areas.
The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate released on Aug. 18 showed a 12,700 job gain. The seasonally adjusted statewide July unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.6 percent for the third consecutive month and was down 0.8 of a percentage point from the 8.4 percent rate recorded in July 2010. The Massachusetts statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains well below the national rate of 9.1 percent.
The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.
The August 2011 unemployment rate, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Sept. 15, 2011; local unemployment statistics will be released on Sept. 20, 2011. For more information: www.mass.gov/lmi.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Allen Harris of Berkshire Money Management is pledging to donate thousands to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter as part of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce membership drive.
Harris, a member of the chamber and an advocate for the care of abandoned animals, combined his two philanthropic interests by promising to donate $1,000 to the shelter for every person who joins the Chamber of Commerce through Berkshire Money Management.
"In my business you try to create synergy and leverage in investments. I thought I would try it on the non-profit side," Harris said. "The Sonsini Shelter needed improvements and when we heard about the chamber's membership drive, we wanted to do something different."
Harris, founder and president of Berkshire Money Management, said he has been able to get the community involved in two worthy causes that could provide a blueprint to all nonprofits in the area.
He will present a check to the shelter on Wednesday, Aug. 24, during a chamber night at the investment firm's offices on Merrill Road.
Berkshire Money Management's membership fund drive continues until Sept. 7. If you are interested in joining the chamber through Berkshire Money Management, call 413-997-2006.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will offer a workshop designed to help area business owners utilize cutting-edge marketing techniques to generate leads, sales, and overall interest in their business.
"Mobile Marketing 101: Decoding the QR Code" will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Beacon Cinema on North Street.
Julie Fruscio, business development and marketing coordinator at Excelsior Printing Co., and Ashley Sulock, director or marketing and communications at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, will lead the presentation.
The presenters will discuss QR Codes and help attendees understand how to best leverage these tools to bridge the gap between print and electronic marketing. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cell or or smart phones, although these devices are not required for participants to attend or benefit from the program.
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday that the preliminary July job estimates show an increase of 12,700 jobs, for a total of 3,246,800 jobs in Massachusetts. The private sector gained 11,600 jobs. The July total unemployment rate remained at 7.6 percent, well below the national rate of 9.1 percent.
Six of the 10 private sectors added jobs in July with the largest over the month gains in Education and Health Services; Other Services; Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Manufacturing; Professional and Business Services; and Financial Activities. The July job gain follows a revised 9,400 job gain in June, previously reported as a 10,400 job gain.
Over-the-year (July 2010 to July 2011), jobs are up 56,800, for a growth rate of 1.8 percent. Private sector jobs are up 61,900, a growth rate of 2.2 percent, with gains in nine of the 10 sectors. Year-to-date, (December 2010 to July 2011), 53,000 jobs have been added in the Bay State with 58,200 jobs in the private sector.
The biggest gains were in education and health services (3,000 for a .4 percent gain). Over-the-year, this sector has added 17,300 (up 2.6 percent) jobs with health care and social assistance gaining 15,000 (up 3 percent) and educational services 2,300 (1.4 percent). Also up were other services, primarly seasonal help, which is occurring later in the season and at higher levels.
Trade, transportation, and utilities gained 2,900 jobs, manufacturing gained 2,400 jobs. Construction, however, lost 1,500 jobs (down 1.4 percent) following a 1,900 job gain in June. This sector had posted job gains in each of the previous four months. Over-the-year, this sector has added 2,100 (2 percent) jobs with gains in all component industries.
The July estimates show 3,208,700 Massachusetts residents were employed and 263,400 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,472,100. Since October 2009, there are 40,300 more residents employed and 41,000 fewer residents unemployed as the labor force decreased by 700.
Local area unemployment statistics for July 2011 will be released on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
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BOSTON — Pittsfield saw its seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate drop to 7 percent during the month of July, compared to 7.8 percent jobless rate statewide. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Allen Harris of Berkshire Money Management is pledging to donate thousands to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter as part of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce membership drive.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will offer a workshop designed to help area business owners utilize cutting-edge marketing techniques to generate leads, sales, and overall interest in their business. 
