The jump there was attributed to a rise in those unemployed by over 90 while the total labor force grew by 59 persons. Monahans' jobless rate and its workforce were both up slightly, with their unemployment rate rising from 6.0 to 6.3 percent. Andrews jumped from 4-4 to 4.8 percent, Midland went from 3.8 to 3.9 percent, and Odessa rose from 5.5 percent in October to 6.1 percent last month. During an appreciation luncheon residents threw Thursday for all those who helped on the Canal 1996 Project, Joe Rodriguez of the Texas Department of Transportation's Balmorhea office said his crew will be doing the work on State Highway 17 sometime next year. The project began last year with the reconditioning of the park area.
More landscaping is projected for next year, as are curbs and gutters along downtown streets.
Businesses located in the downtown area are especially glad to hear that the streets will be widened in some areas and running water will be piped into the north canal, which travels in front of stores that line the side of Highway 17. Helping out with the 1996 project were inmates from the Lynaugh Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Fort Stockton. Balmorhea residents pitched in with food, and transportation was acquired from the Reeves County Sheriffs Department. Foster said the statewide effort was involving TDCJ inmates began in 1992. That would include work that would create industrial competition.