Missouri job numbers up in February

Manufacturing employment bounced back from a January drop that was traced to temporary layoffs in the automotive industry. Manufacturing employment increased by 4,200 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Employment in accommodations and food services was up by 2,500 jobs, while health care and social assistance added 1,800 jobs. Those gains were partially offset, however, by a decrease of 1,800 jobs in construction, due to bad weather, and 1,100 jobs lost in administrative and support services.

“Missouri’s economy continues to grow with thousands of new jobs created in February,” Gov. Matt Blunt said in a news release. “This report is especially encouraging in light of the fact that Missourians added jobs during one of the harshest winters in recent memory.”

Blunt pointed out that the number of jobs created during the last 25 months is more than the population of Cole or Cape Girardeau counties.

Despite the additional jobs, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by four-tenths of a point in February, to 5 percent. State officials, however, say a trend toward higher unemployment is not likely.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s April 4 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.