Arkansas’ jobless rate remains unchanged at 7.8 percent in April; national rate 9.9 percent
By APFriday, May 21, 2010
Ark. jobless rate unchanged at 7.8 pct in April
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas’ unemployment remained unchanged at 7.8 percent last month, with an increase in manufacturing jobs offsetting a drop in professional and business jobs.
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says the state’s unemployment rate is more than 2 percentage points below the national rate of 9.9 percent. The agency says manufacturing jobs increased by 2,600 in April, and the leisure and hospitality sector gained 2,500 of mostly seasonal jobs.
Professional and business services lost 1,600 jobs last month, including jobs in accounting, law offices and engineering firms. Government jobs dropped by 1,400, with 1,100 of those temporary Census jobs.
The agency says Arkansas has lost 15,500 nonfarm jobs since April 2009.
