Although down 4% from June, at 15.9%, the Haines Borough unemployment rate remained the second highest in Southeast in July, second only to Skagway.
Haines unemployment remains high compared to past years. In July 2019, the unemployment rate was 4.7%, the lowest of any month that year. A 15.9% unemployment rate is comparable to January and February unemployment rates in a normal year.
Haines is unlikely to see much improvement in the employment rate in the coming months, especially given the seasonal nature of its economy, state economist Karinne Wiebold said in an interview last month.
The unemployed in Haines will soon be eligible for a $300 boost to weekly payments.
July was the last month workers were eligible to receive the $600 federal boost to weekly unemployment checks funded by the CARES Act. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, those claiming unemployment in Alaska were eligible for between $56 and $370 weekly, depending on past earnings.
On Aug. 13, Gov. Mike Dunleavy approved a $300 weekly boost on top of normal state payments. Under an executive order approved by President Donald Trump, Dunleavy had the option to approve a weekly boost of up to $400, but this would have left the state responsible for one-quarter of the cost. The state has said the $300 boost will be applied retroactively from the week ending Aug. 1 to those who are eligible for at least $100 in normal state payments.