Hello Los Angeles Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs,

Is the economic recovery here yet? Not if we look at California’s recent unemployment numbers. The jobless rate increased up from 12.3% in November as employers laid off 38,800 workers in December, capping a dismal year in which the state lost more than half a million jobs.

The state has the fifth-highest unemployment rate in the nation, after Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island and South Carolina, and economists expect it to lag as the construction and retail sectors continue to struggle. Overall, the nation lost 85,000 jobs in December, but its unemployment rate remained at 10%.

Over the last two years, California has lost more than 1 million jobs.

The state's unemployment rate in December 2008 was 8.7%. In 2009, it jumped to double digits, where economists expect it to remain for this year. So Californians don’t expect an employment recovery any time soon, it will be a while before we return back to the days of inflated prosperity.

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If you are interested in finding additional Los Angeles County small business resources, events, or filing your new Los Angeles County Fictitious Business Name/DBA, visit the Premier Los Angeles County Small Business Resource website www.LABusinessConnect.com. This website is dedicated to assisting Los Angeles County entrepreneurs and small business owners find answers to opening and operating their business locally.