Unemployment rate down in Massachusetts
Rate drops for the first time in 2 1/2 years
Updated: Thursday, 19 Nov 2009, 7:13 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 19 Nov 2009, 1:18 PM EST
BOSTON, MASS. (WPRI/AP) - Massachusetts' monthly unemployment rate has fallen for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate dropped from 9.3 percent in September to 8.9 percent in October. This comes just one month after the rate reached the highest level since 1976.
Experts said Thursday that the loss of 900 jobs during the month was offset by a growth in the labor force of 1,500 jobs.
The state says the professional, scientific and business services; education and health services; government; and construction sectors added jobs. Jobs were lost in the manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; and financial activities sectors.
Rhode Island's numbers are due out Friday.
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