Yellowhammer Times

Alabama's July unemployment report has brought attention to the challenges faced by small businesses in the state, according to NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash. She highlighted that while the jobless rate for July stood at 2.8%, which is considered positive, Alabama's seasonally-adjusted workforce participation rate was 57.5%. This figure is notably lower than the national average of 62.7%.

Elebash pointed out that among Alabama and its neighboring states, only Mississippi had a lower participation rate at 54.2%. Georgia reported the highest rate at 61.8%, followed by Tennessee at 59.5% and Florida at 58.8%.

"This is a big reason so many of our small business members say they’re unable to fill vacant positions," Elebash stated.

Although specific data for the state was not available, Elebash referred to findings from the latest NFIB Optimism Index, which showed that 38% of small business owners have unfilled positions, and 49% reported having few to no qualified job applicants.

To address these challenges, Elebash emphasized NFIB's ongoing collaboration with the Alabama Community College System Innovation Center. The partnership aims to prepare students for employment opportunities upon receiving their credential certificates.