County workforce shrinks

RITZVILLE – Adams County’s labor force is getting smaller, but fewer people are unemployed.

State Regional Labor Economist Donald Meseck recently released a report analyzing the changes in the Adams County labor market between 2022 and 2023.

According to the report, Adams County’s unemployment rate fell by 0.01% December 2022 and December 2023. Looking at the county’s non-farm economy, the report noted that 160 new jobs were added in 2023, advancing to 6,630 from the 6,470 jobs recorded in 2022, an average annual increase of 2.5%.

The report further stated that although the state’s total civil...