NATCHEZ — Fewer people are getting up and dressed for work in Adams County these days.

Recent unemployment numbers, released on Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, show a 1.3 point increase in unemployment in Adams County from December to January.

The the unemployment rate increased from 7.1 to 8.4 from December to January.

Natchez Alderman Ricky Gray said the latest numbers about Adams County are the most recent effect of a nationwide economic downturn.

Gray also said that while the numbers are new, the concern over employment isn’t a new one for the people he represents as alderman.

“They’ve been (having concerns) since the recession started,” Gray said. “I haven’t heard many additional people saying it, but I’m sure there are more that have been laid off.”

And Gray said he doesn’t believe the increase in unemployment is unique to Natchez and feels it is a problem that all of the area struggles with.

“People have been complain about no jobs in Southwest Mississippi for a time,” Gray said. “And some of these are people that have house notes and car notes. They are wondering how they are going to pay those.”

The MDES employment numbers show that Adams County has a workforce of 13,770 workers with 12,160 employed and 1,160 unemployed in January 2009.

The same numbers for December 2008 indicate a workforce of 13,720 with 12,750 employed and 970 unemployed.

Just one year ago, in January 2008, Adams County had an unemployment rate of 6.1 with 830 people unemployed and 12,890 employed.

Mayor Jake Middleton said there has been no single incident that has caused the hike, but that several cut backs and closings have combined to put more people out of work.

“We’ve had three businesses in the 400 block of Franklin Street close in probably the last two months, and I got wind yesterday that one of our local oil field supply houses is going to be closing at the end of the month,” Middleton said.

Middleton said while the trend is unfortunate, the first place many businesses look to make cuts is personnel.

“All we can do is tighten our belts and hold on for the ride and hope things don’t get much worse,” he said.

Neighboring counties have also seen unemployment increases in the recent months. Jefferson County saw its unemployment numbers jump from an unemployment rate of 14.9 in December 2008 to 19.0 in January 2009.

Overall, the state’s rate of unemployment increased 1.6 points from 7.6 in December to 9.2 in January.

Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said the cause for the increase in unemployment can’t be singled out. However, recent layoffs are partly to blame.

“There are probably several things that aren’t where they should be,” Hudson said. “Hopefully we can maintain and not get any worse.”

Hudson said she believes the new numbers are a result of the national problems that are starting to affect Adams County.

“We are starting to hear what is happening in the rest of the country is happening to us,” she said.

But while the numbers are increasing currently, Hudson said she is hopeful that those numbers will begin to fall soon. She said business projects that are on the horizon offer hope of a solution.

“We are hopeful that with the opening of CCA and the hospital getting things in order, things will start to look better,” Hudson said.

Middleton said the opening of Corrections Corporation of America prison , which could be as early as July, would provide jobs for a variety of people in professional and blue-collar positions.

“It would be a tremendous help. You’re talking about 300 jobs,” Middleton said. “It’s like a little city out there. A lot of people will be able to get good paying jobs.”

Middleton also said other casinos that are slated to open in Natchez would provide a much needed jolt for the workforce. But, while there are several prospects on the horizon, Middleton said there is nothing set in stone that could turn the tide for unemployment.

“There are a lot of things that could happen that would turn that number around real fast, but when that will happen — I unfortunately don’t have a crystal ball,” he said.