Natural State News

After a long and continuous battle against COVID-19, Arkansas is beginning to see a drop in unemployment claims in the state.

KNWA reported that Arkansas saw 251 fewer people apply for first-time unemployment benefits in early July, a sizeable portion of the 2,000 fewer first-time applicants nationwide.

"Arkansas never really shut down like in many other states," President of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Randy Zook said to Natural State News. "Our governor maneuvered through this very effectively, and our businesses managed it very effectively. We never had the absolute shutdowns like in some coastal states. We never got as deep into the ditch." 

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, opted out of the extra $300 in federal unemployment insurance and reinstated the job search requirement for collecting benefits.

"The $300 federal supplement helped thousands of Arkansans make it through this tough time, so it served a good purpose," Hutchinson said, according to another article by Natural State News. "Now we need Arkansans back on the job so that we can get our economy back to full speed."

Arkansas' unemployment rate is holding steady at 4.4%, well below the national average, according to a release from Hutchinson. 

"We never overwhelmed our health care system," Zook said, according to Natural State News. "We never — we got close a time or two — but we never got to the point where there was select availability of bed space and ventilators and all that. That didn't happen." 

"Are a lot of jobs open? Yes," he added. "Are there people who for some reason or another are not actively participating seeking jobs? Yes. It's hard to say that we have a labor shortage. We have a shortage of people attempting or seeking employment. I think there's a subtle distinction there, but it's important. We have plenty of people available."