LABOR

Malden has a population of 4,782 and is located in the northern portion of Dunklin County, which has a population of over 33,000. It is estimated that the workforce within driving distance of Malden is in the range of 65,000-80,000 people.

A. AVAILABILITY-- The Division of Workforce Development screens applicants and works closely with new/existing industries for job placement in the district. A large number of applicants would qualify for training programs and/or tax benefits.

Existing industries in our area report excellent success with the ability of personnel to learn and perform effectively on the job. Attendance records are excellent and the average employee remains with a job for a long period of time.

B. UNEMPLOYMENT-- The following information is based on the five Counties within a 30-mile radius of Malden, which are Dunklin, Butler, New Madrid, Pemiscot, and Stoddard. A portion of Scott County does fall within the 30-mile radius, but Scott County is not included in our figures. It is not unusual in our area for individuals to commute 30 to 50 miles.

The figures shown below reflect the 2006 Labor Force and Unemployment Rates. The rates would be much higher if seasonal employment was factored out and under-employment was factored in.

A portion of Northeast Arkansas is also well within commuting range of Malden.

The MO Division of Workforce Development and the SEMO Workforce Investment Board offices administer Customized Training for new and expanding employers, as well as other programs which provide financial benefits for employers. The Malden area has available labor within our Enhanced Enterprise Zone and within other Zones in the State of Missouri

.Missouri offers On-Job-Training (possible 50% wage reimbursement to Employers) in relation to numerous Displaced Workers, who are a skilled labor force with some having 20+ years experience in production skills.  See the MO Economic Research & Information Center www.missourieconomy.org for more information