Area unemployment rates remain virtually unchanged from October to November — a statewide trend stemming from a rise in retail employment as other industries slowed down for the season.

In Clark County, unemployment remained at a 6.3 percent rate in November, according to statistics released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Friday. In Champaign County, unemployment rose slightly to 6.2 percent in November, up from 6 percent in October.

Unemployment rose in 66 out of 88 of Ohio’s counties, said Ben Johnson, ODJFS spokesman. The state unemployment rate dipped slightly from 6.9 percent in October to 6.8 percent in November, but if the numbers had not been seasonally adjusted, it too would have risen, he added.

“Sixteen hundred jobs were added,” Johnson said. “That’s the direction we want to be moving, but those are relative changes and that increase in non agricultural employment in a labor force of almost 5.2 million is a relatively small change.”

Statewide, retail employment rose 7,700 from October to November, while industries such as construction, arts, entertainment and recreation all dropped as much as 1,000 per sector, Johnson said.

Retail employment statewide was up 7,700 from October to November, while industries such as construction saw employment drop by 1,000 people.

In the counties surrounding Springfield, the labor force dropped, Johnson said. However, so did the number of employed people, causing the unemployment rate to stay virtually the same. ODJFS does not collect data on what causes the labor force to decrease.

Johnson warned that there could be a routine spike in the unemployment rate in January as some of those seasonal retail jobs end. But, compared to unemployment rates a year ago, the state is moving in the right direction in terms of employment.

In Springfield, local workforce development continues to be optimistic about local job opportunities.

“There are several businesses we are working with now that are anticipating growth in 2013,” said Amy Donahoe, director of hiring and employment services for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “We’re not ready to disclose (who the businesses are) yet, but we’re starting to prep with business planning to do some hiring.”

Donahoe added that there is some potential worker training dollars coming from the state that local businesses can take advantage of in January.

“I think that will help with some progress there as well. I do think businesses are anticipating some growth,” she said.

As usual, the industries hiring the most locally are in manufacturing, Donahoe said.

“I would encourage anyone looking to work, their first stop should be the WorkPlus One-Stop Center,” she said. “There are so many opportunities and a lot of current openings they’re looking to fill.”

WorkPlus is located at 1345 Lagonda Ave. For more information call 937-327-1700.