October year-over-year job losses total 300

WINCHESTER -- Local job growth turned negative in the 12-month period that ended in October due to recent factory layoffs, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

The Winchester metropolitan statistical area, which for employment purposes includes the city, Frederick County and Hampshire County, W.Va., lost a combined 500 jobs in mining, construction and manufacturing during the period, outweighing 200 job gains in the services sector.

The area's overall 0.5 percent drop was exceeded only by Charlottesville, which was down 1 percent, or 1,000 jobs.

-- Daily Staff Report