|
|
| |
| Sat, Jul. 5, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
State unemployment rate drops sharply in February Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate dropped sharply in February, down six-tenths of a percentage point since January to 5 percent, labor statistics released Friday showed. Officials at the Department of Workforce Services had little explanation for the drop. "Although the decrease of six-tenths of a percentage point in the unemployment rate is unexpected between January and February, the rate is consistent with historical trends for the month of February," DWS spokeswoman Kimberly Friedman said. "The decline in the rate is largely attributed to the reduction in the number of unemployed." Arkansas' civilian labor force dropped 12,900 since January. There were 4,600 fewer employed people and 8,300 fewer unemployed people in the state last month, statistics showed. The U.S. jobless rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point in the same time period, to 4.8 percent. In Arkansas, government posted the largest increase in employment for the month at 3,900 jobs, as non-teaching personnel returned to public schools and universities, the department said. The leisure and hospitality sector made seasonal gains of 1,800 jobs, most of which occurred in accommodations and food services, DWS said. The opening of the racing season at Oaklawn Park thoroughbred track in Hot Springs contributed to the job expansion. Employment in educational and health services rose by 1,400. Professional and business services enjoyed a monthly expansion of 1,100 jobs, and the construction industry boosted employment by 500. Employment in the trade and transportation declined by 600 jobs, while the manufacturing sector lost 300 jobs last month, the department said. |
