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Analysis: Local economy stands out with growth despite COVID-19

Chris Graham
Virginia covid-19
(© Ingo Menhard – stock.adobe.com)

The Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta area is the only one among Virginia’s 10 metropolitan statistical areas to experience job growth over the past six months.

This is according to an analysis of figures from the Virginia Employment Commission.

It’s modest job growth: 1,400 jobs from March to August, 2.7 percent.

Modest though it is, the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta numbers stand out when you look at the state numbers.

 

Jobs in Virginia

Area August 2020 March 2020 Change
Virginia 3,850,200 4,067,400 -217,200 (-5.3%)
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA 74,700 77,400 -2,700 (-3.5%)
Charlottesville MSA 116,000 122,900 -6,900 (-5.6%)
Harrisonburg MSA 66,100 68,400 -2,300 (-3.4%)
Lynchburg MSA 100,400 105,400 -5,000 (-4.7%)
Northern Virginia MSA 1,437,800 1,522,000 -84,200 (-5.5%)
Richmond MSA 648,500 689,500 -41,000 (-5.9%)
Roanoke MSA 153,600 162,200 -8,600 (-5.3%)
Staunton-Waynesboro MSA 52,800 51,400 +1,400 (+2.7%)
Va. Beach-Norfolk-Newport News MSA 753,500 797,100 -43,600 (-5.5%)
Winchester MSA 60,300 66,000 -5,700 (-8.6%)

 

Story by Chris Graham

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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