HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS IN SMYTH COUNTY VIRGINIA. IN FACT, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS INCHED UPWARD BY FRACTIONS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT EACH MONTH SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR. THE RATE REMAINED LOW AT 6.8 PERCENT IN AUGUST. THAT’S RELATIVE TO THE 10.6 PERCENT RATE 12 YEARS AGO. SALLY MORGAN, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING FOR SMYTH COUNTY, ATTRIBUTES THE HIGHER NUMBERS TO THE CONTINUING DECLINE NATIONALLY IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND THE RESULTING EFFECT ON SALES FOR THE LOCAL AREA MANUFACTURERS THAT PRODUCE HOME BUILDING PRODUCTS. ALSO, SHE SAID SEVERAL EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTY HAVE LAID OFF WORKERS OR REDUCED THEIR WORKFORCE.