Texas Border Business
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released the May 2020 Labor Market and Employment reports. The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate decreased by -1.4% to 13.3%. Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by -0.5% to 13.0%.
Statewide Overview for May: Texas had a gain of 237,800 nonagricultural jobs in May and has a loss of -917,800 jobs in the past year (seasonally adjusted). This represents an annual employment decrease rate of -7.2%.
Goods-Producing employment increased by 4,100 jobs in May and a total of -119,800 jobs were lost in the past twelve months. The Construction sector had the most job gains for this month with 13,200 jobs. The Goods-Producing sector has seen a decrease of -6.2% over the past twelve months.
The Service-Providing sector gained in total 233,700 jobs in May and has a total loss of -798,000 jobs in the past year. This sector is decreasing at a -7.4% annual rate. The Leisure & Hospitality sector had the most job gains in May with an estimated 176,400 employees hired and an annual decreasing rate of -26.9%. The Education & Health Services sector follows with a gain of 51,900 jobs and a -5.0% annual decreasing rate.
Regional Unemployment Recap: The May unemployment rates show slight decreases at all levels. Hidalgo and Cameron counties reflect the most significant decreases of -0.5% and -1.1% respectively.
Counties:
- Hidalgo County decreased by -0.5% to 17.7%
- Cameron County decreased by -1.1% to 16.0%
- Starr County increased by -0.2%, to 24.1%
- Willacy County increased by -0.1% to 17.3%
- Webb County increased by 0.6% to 14.2%
Cities:
- Edinburg had the lowest unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and the border region with a decrease of -0.2% and a rate of 13.9%
- McAllen had the second lowest unemployment rate in the RGV with a decrease of -1.1% and a rate of 14.8%
- Harlingen was third with a decrease of -0.8% and a rate of 15.8%
- Laredo had the second lowest rate in the border region with an increase of 0.5% and a rate of 14.2%
Hidalgo, Cameron, and Webb County MSA Regional Employment Change Estimates for May 2020:
| Employment Sectors | McAllen MSA | Brownsville MSA | Laredo MSA | Total Region |
| Healthcare & Private Education | 600 | -900 | 300 | |
| Leisure & Hospitality | 5,700 | 2,700 | 1,300 | 9,700 |
| Government (Public Ed, Law Enforcement) | -1,500 | -800 | -300 | -2,600 |
| Professional & Business Services | -100 | -100 | ||
| Mining & Construction | 400 | 300 | 200 | 900 |
| Trade, Transportation & Utilities | 1,200 | 600 | -700 | 1,100 |
| Manufacturing | -700 | -700 | ||
| Information | ||||
| Financial Activities | -900 | -900 | ||
| Other Services | 200 | 100 | 100 | 400 |
| Total All Non-Agriculture Sectors: | 4,900 | 2,000 | 900 | 7,800 |
As the implementation of phase one and two of the ongoing State of Texas’ plan to safely and strategically open the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the May 2020 Labor Market Report reflects slight but solid job recovery across the sectors that were impacted the most in the previous month. The primary sector with the largest job loss in the border region in May is the Government, with an estimated -2,600 lost jobs which begins to reflect a seasonal adjustment due to public education jobs and the upcoming school summer break. The Leisure & Hospitality sector is the main contributor to the total jobs in the region with an estimated 9,700 new hires. The May total non-agricultural job growth for our border region is an estimated 7,800 jobs.
Healthcare Industry: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the increased testing has played a key role in the ongoing need for middle skilled healthcare professionals. To help address these concerns, Workforce Solutions has assisted with Virtual Job Fairs in partnership with local hospitals to recruit professionals. Along with the traditional occupations, the pandemic has also called attention to emerging occupations in the areas of sanitation and contact tracing.
Manufacturing Industry: With the reopening of the economy, and to adhere to social distancing measures, some companies have reached out for assistance from Workforce Solutions to participate in the Texas Workforce Commission’s Shared Work Program to minimize layoffs. Those companies that have temporarily laid off employees have done so with the intent to recall workers as production efforts increase. Workforce Solutions continues to actively work with the local Economic Development Corporations to collaborate in the recruitment of businesses considering the RGV as their site selection.
As always, thanks again for your support and participation!
Texas Labor Market Review from TWC: https://texaslmi.com/api/GetHomeLinks/TLMR
Local Labor Market Reports: https://www.wfsolutions.org/workforce-intelligence.html
NOTE:
TWC COVID-19 Employer Resources – Mass Claims and Shared Work Programs
