EDITOR’S NOTE: The Bricks & Mortar Report provides updates on major construction projects in Chenango County.

Chenango County Public Works Department:

• Road crews have been busy chip sealing 17 miles of county Rts. 37, 29 and 9. The remaining work, 13 miles, is planned for Rt. 27 toward Coventryville and a section of Rt. 2.

• Workers will construct a new Hogsback Road bridge this week. A detour is already in place.

• Many roads are being routinely striped and workers are replacing culverts as necessary.

Employment stats:

• The Chenango County Office of Employment and Training reported an 8.6 percent unemployment rate in April. The figure was 10.1 percent in March, and compares to a 6.2 percent unemployment rate in April of 2008. More workers found seasonal jobs such as in the leisure and hospitality industries.

• Of the five surrounding counties, only Cortland, at 8.9 percent unemployment, has a higher rate than Chenango County’s.