County unemployment numbers released Wednesday, May 1 show Polk County with the seventh lowest unemployment rate in North Carolina at 7.0 percent for March.

Of the county’s 9,162-member labor force, a total of 642 people remained without jobs in March.
Polk County Economic and Tourism Development Commission (ETDC) Director Libbie Johnson said the county consistently maintains one of the top 10 lowest rates for unemployment in the state.

“We’re excited because we have had six months of continuous decline in the unemployment rate,” Johnson said. “I’m very optimistic that it is going to continue. The national indicators show things slowly moving in a positive direction.”

So far this year 45 new companies have registered with Polk County government.

During the month of March, a total of 13 new businesses incorporated, according to the ETDC.

Those new businesses include: Adawehi Health Initiative Inc., Citadel Rence Repair LLC, Gregory L. Lobas Investments, Patriots Salute to Veterans Assoc., Sunlite Group LLC, Taylor’s Production LLC, TGR Holdings LLC, WNC Edutech LLC, Green River Brew Depot, Hope Creations, Sheila Nolt Photographer, Southern Manners and Kelli C. Photography.

Trish Overholt said her new restaurant Southern Manners is happy to add jobs to the employment pool of Polk County. She said they plan to employ anywhere from eight to 10 people at a time. Southern Manners will open
at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast and remain open for lunch until 2 p.m. serving sandwiches, soups and salads. The restaurant is located at 192 East Mills, across from Buy Way. Southern Manners will open May 11.