Tenn.’s unemployment rate rises to 10.9 in December; biggest job losses in manufacturing
By APThursday, January 21, 2010
Tenn.’s jobless rate rises to 10.9 in December
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development says the state’s unemployment rate rose to 10.9 percent in December.
That is up 0.7 percent from the November rate of 10.2. It’s a 3.3 percent increase over last year’s December rate of 7.6.
According to the Business Survey, the state’s manufacturing jobs saw the biggest monthly losses, declining by 4,300. The mining and construction industries lost 3,900 jobs.
The largest increases were in retail, which added 1,700 jobs.
Between December 2008 and December 2009 manufacturing decreased by 27,600 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities lost 26,800 jobs; and mining and construction lost 24,700 jobs.
Meanwhile jobs in health care and social assistance increased by 8,700.
The national unemployment rate for December was 10 percent, the same as the November rate.
