Unemployment drops in September

Total employment in Arkansas rose 600 to 1,311,500 in September. The number of unemployed Arkansans decreased 1,100 to 71,700. According to DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman the number of Arkansas` nonfarm payroll jobs reached a new high in September. The 1,204,300 total is 6,100 higher than the previous record set in June 2006. Continuation of back-to-school hiring at public educational facilities pushed government job figures up 11,700 to 209,500 in September. State and local government accounted for a majority of the increase. Educational and health services set an employment record of 151,400. A gain of 2,500 jobs, influenced by hiring in the educational services subsector, resulted in the record. The September total is 1,400 higher than the previous record set in May 2006. Leisure and hospitality, reflecting the end of the summer travel season, saw job totals decline by 1,200. Arts, entertainment and recreation services` employment fell by 700, and accommodations and food services experienced a decrease of 500 jobs. The manufacturing sector lost 1,000 workers as several layoffs were noted during the month. Sizeable reductions (-800) were noted in the electrical equipment industry. (Copyright 2006 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)