Arkansas’ unemployment rate rises to 7.7 percent, officials say jump is typical for February

Arkansas jobless rate rises to 7.7 percent in Feb.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas’ unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point to 7.7 percent last month but remains below the national rate of 9.7 percent.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says six major industry sectors lost jobs, with trade, transportation and utilities experiencing the largest drop.

But the government sector added 3,800 jobs, mostly from public school jobs that saw a decline during winter break.

Department spokeswoman Kimberly Friedman says the increase in the unemployment rate is typical for February, based on historical data.

A year ago Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 6.8 percent.