17 percent of NH's unemployed hit half-year mark

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- New Hampshire's economy held up longer than the U.S. economy, but it's been moving closer to the national average in recent months.

That's what economist Russ Thibeault of Laconia has to say about statistics that show about 17 percent of people collecting unemployment in New Hampshire have been doing so for more than six months, compared to 30 percent nationwide. In New Hampshire, that amounts to about 4,600 unemployed workers who've hit the half-year mark.

Darrell Gates is the deputy director of the state Department of Employment Security. He tells the New Hampshire Sunday News that the state saw its biggest spike in unemployment claims around December. The state expects to pay out about $260 million this year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)