State unemployment rate for August dropped

The unemployment rate is down from July’s 5.5 percent rate, but remains above the national average of 4.9 percent, labor Commissioner James Neeley said in a statement.

Job gains were seen in the retailing and health care fields, officials said.

From August 2004 to August 2005, the business survey shows a growth of 27,200 jobs, Neeley said.

Seasonal employment in building and garden supply retailing fell, as did construction and recreation-entertainment jobs.

Local school system employment increased by 9,600 over July, while trade-transportation employment rose by 2,000, officials said.