The rate of new unemployment claims is falling for Alexandria, but is still significantly higher than average.
During the week of May 30, the latest reported, Alexandria had a total of 528 new unemployment claims, a decline of 166 claims from 694 claims the week before. This is the lowest number of new unemployment claims since the pandemic started but is still higher than the 33 claims the week before the pandemic started.
The highest number of new claims was in the week of April 4, where 2,578 Alexandrians filed unemployment claims.
The steady decrease comes as Alexandria moves into Phase 1 of reopening and local restaurants and retail start to gradually reopen. While the rest of Virginia is currently moving into Phase 2 of reopening, Mayor Justin Wilson said Alexandria could be ready to catch up as early as next Friday.
The decline in Alexandria’s filings was also reflected in a statewide net decrease in new unemployment claims.
“The latest claims figure was a decrease of 7,863 claimants from the previous week,” the Virginia Employment Commission said in a press release. “The weekly total was the lowest since before the initial spike in unemployment insurance claims during the March 21 filing week.”
Staff photo by James Cullum
Recent Stories
At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…
Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…
Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…
Just Listed includes a 1 BD/1 BA freshly painted condo with an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry.
If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
