Nevada's unemployment rate hit a new record high in December, jumping to 14.5%.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation says 193,500 Nevadans are out of work and seeking employment.
The unemployment rate in the Reno-Sparks area increased to 13.8% from 13.3% in November. That too, set a new all-time high for the area.
Carson City's unemployment rate reached a new high as well, surging from 13.1% in November to 14% in December.
In the Elko area — which includes Elko and Eureka counties — the unemployment rate increased by four-tenths, rising from 7.6% to 8.0% in December.
In Las Vegas, the unadjusted jobless rate rose 14.9%, also a new record high.
Governor Brian Sandoval released the following statement after hearing today's numbers:
"The news this morning that Nevada's unemployment rate has increased is extremely distressing to me. My heart goes out to those struggling to find work, and at the same time I am reminded of the fragile nature of our economy. We must change course.
"The sheer number of unemployed in our state is exactly why I've said we cannot burden struggling businesses with tax increases, and why we cannot ask the struggling family to pay more. We must allow sunsetting taxes to expire at the end of June and provide businesses the environment in which to begin hiring again. I ask all leaders of our state to keep this in mind as the Legislature begins."
Sen. Harry Reid released this statement:
"Today's deeply disappointing unemployment figures reconfirm the need to focus like a laser on creating jobs for out-of-work Nevadans struggling to make ends meet. Earlier this week, I laid out my legislative priorities to make Nevada more competitive in the global economy by investing in clean energy jobs, training a competitive workforce and boosting Nevada small businesses. One way to strengthen Nevada's economy is to end the political grandstanding on repealing health insurance reform and for everyone to turn their full attention to ensuring every Nevadan who wants to work has that opportunity."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
