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| Thu, Aug. 28, 2008 |  |
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Arkansas unemployment rate drops to 4.7 percent Saturday, May 17, 2008 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in nearly seven years in April, labor statistics released Friday showed.<br/><br/>The state's jobless rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month to 4.7 percent in April, below the national average of 5 percent.<br/><br/>"At 4.7 percent, Arkansas' unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since July 2001," Department of Workforce Services spokeswoman Kimberly Friedman said. "Employment levels over the year have increased significantly, with 13,600 more Arkansans employed."<br/><br/>Between March and April, the state's civilian labor force grew by 3,800 people. The group of employed individuals grew by 5,800, while the group of unemployed Arkansans declined by 2,000 people.<br/><br/>The largest employment gain came in the leisure and hospitality sector, which added 2,500 seasonal jobs. Accommodations and food services accounted for more than 75 percent of the increase, the department said.<br/><br/>Construction jobs grew by 800, as warmer weather aided in the development of new projects, the department said.<br/><br/>However, manufacturing jobs fell by 900 because of layoffs and closures around the state. Since April 2007, manufacturing jobs have declined by 7,100.<br/><br/>Most of the employment sectors gained jobs over the same time last year. The educational and health services sector added 3,400 new positions; government added 2,200 jobs; professional and business services grew by 1,800 jobs, leisure and hospitality added 1,700 jobs; and the natural resources and mining sector grew 13.3 percent, adding 1,200 jobs.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/> |
