Although DeKalb County has a low unemployment rate, county officials are trying to bring in new businesses to increase employment.

DeKalb County unemployment was at 5.3 percent in December, 1989, according to a study by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Norman Kelewitz, labor and market analyst for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, said about 2,000 people were unemployed in DeKalb County in December.

Because some jobs in DeKalb County are done outside and affected by the weather there have been more people unemployed, Kelewitz said.

The county’s “economy is fairly good…things are fairly stable,” Kelewitz said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Jamie Pennington said DeKalb “has the lowest unemployment rate in the state,” but having the lowest unemployment rate can have negative and positive results.

DeKalb County Clerk Terry Desmond said the low number of DeKalb employees available for new enterprises prevents larger employers from relocating to this area.

“As much as we pride ourselves on low unemployment,” it is a problem for companies wanting to expand to DeKalb County, Desmond said.

Roger Hopkins, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation said his agency is trying to create a diverse industrial base in DeKalb.

“I’m very optimistic about attracting new business out here,” Hopkins said.

He said his agency is trying to attract service industries to the county that will pay an average of $5 to $6 per hour to their employees.

The county has a school-year workforce of 37,000 to 38,000 and 34,000 to 35,000 during the summer months, he said. Hopkins said he estimates about 2,000 to 3,000 students are part of the DeKalb work force during the school year.