Unemployment numbers beat analysts’ estimates

The number of new people signing up for jobless benefits plunged last week, partly reflecting a tapering off of filings related to Hurricane Charley.

For the week ending Sept. 4, new applications for unemployment insurance dropped by a seasonally adjusted 44,000 from the previous week to 319,000, the lowest level since July 3, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

The decline was the largest decrease since the week ending Dec. 8, 2001.

The latest snapshot of the layoffs climate was better than analysts were expecting. They were forecasting a smaller drop of around 17,000 for last week.

Lawrence

Chamber executive to leave organization

The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s manager of existing business programs is leaving the organization after one year on the job.

Chamber officials said Thursday that Tawnya Johnson has submitted her resignation to pursue a career as an educator. Her last day at the chamber will be Sept. 22.

Johnson served as the chief liaison between existing businesses in Douglas County and the chamber, seeking to find out what issues the organization can help businesses address.

Lynn Parman, vice president of economic development, said the chamber would seek a replacement for Johnson.

“We think it is a vital position to the organization and the community,” Parman said.

Johnson was out of the office Thursday and unavailable for comment.

Wichita

Cessna, machinists union reach tentative accord

Cessna Aircraft Co. reached a tentative contract agreement Thursday with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, a union official said.

The deal, which the union is recommending its members accept, comes before a scheduled vote Saturday by Wichita employees. The current contract expires Sunday.

Approval of the contract requires a simple majority, although it takes two-thirds majority to call a strike.

Union spokesman Steve Rooney said Thursday the three-year agreement includes a 4 percent wage increase the first year and 3 percent increases in each of the following two years. The union represents 4,300 workers at the Wichita plant.

Real Estate

Cohousing project to break ground

Organizers of the Delaware Street Commons cohousing neighborhood will be host to a groundbreaking ceremony for the project on Saturday.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1224 Del. Organizers will offer free refreshments and information about the cohousing project, the first of its kind in the state.

The project ultimately will have 23 living units, which range from two-bedroom flats to three-bedroom, two-story townhomes, contained in five buildings at the site.

The first tenants should be able to move in by next summer.