WPCNR BIZ JOURNAL. From Johny Nelson, New York State Department of Labor. June 18, 2009 (Edited): Private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region decreased by 17,300, or 2.3 percent, to 741,300 for the 12-month period ending May 2009. 

Employment gains were recorded only in educational and health services (+3,500)

In White Plains, with a employment force of 31,600, 2,100 are reported without jobs at the end of May, according to the NYS Department of Labor, an umemployment rate of 6.5%, up from 4.9% in April when it appeared the White Plains market was stabilizing.

In Westchester County 34,500 persons in the county's 495,000 labor force were without jobs at the close of May, a rate of 7%. That's up from 6.5% in April. This is the highest county unemployment pool in 17 years. In 1992, the employment level hit 6.5%.

The Hudson Valley Region continues to be adversely affected by the current economic downturn, as evidenced by this month’s 2.3 percent over-the-year decline in private sector employment.  Outside of educational and health services, all industry sectors continue to show over-the-year job declines.  The severity of the downturn is further reflected by the record high unemployment rates recorded in recent months.  With a flurry of layoffs anticipated in the comings months, the local job market is expected to worsen.