State’s unemployment rate remains steady

The state rate is 1.5 percentage points lower than in July 2003, and remains well below the national unemployment rate of 5.5 percent.

“The most promising numbers we see this month are the year-over-year figures in manufacturing,” Labor Commissioner James Neeley said.

Manufacturing jobs have increased 2,300 since last July, while trade, transportation and utility jobs are up 7,000. Decreases have come in state government, with 900 positions lost, and merchant wholesalers and gasoline stations, each down 800 jobs.

———

On the Net:

Labor Department: http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/labor—figures