Fairfield jobless numbers drop 39%

WINNSBORO – Positive economic signs are continuing to pop up in Fairfield County.

The latest good news came during public comments of Monday night’s meeting, when Ridgeway resident Randy Bright called attention to encouraging unemployment numbers.

Bright said Farfield’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.9 percent to 5.4 percent in the past 12 months, a 39 percent improvement.

“We’ve come off the bottom,” he said. “A lot of good things coming up.”

Signs of progress emerged in September, when TV manufacturer Element reversed course on a potential workforce reduction. Element’s plans changed when President Donald Trump eased tariffs on Chinese imports.

Fairfield County is also deep in talks with another economic development prospect that would add another 200 jobs and make a $30 million investment.

County Council discussed that project in executive session Monday night, but no action was taken.

To keep the momentum going, Bright encouraged the council to continue water and sewer infrastructure improvements, as well as combating blight.

He also touted a penny sales tax to boost infrastructure funding, estimating it would bring in $2 million a year.

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