Springfield area adds 2,700 jobs

The September report showed seasonal job increases in each of Missouri’s metropolitan areas: St. Louis by 8,900 jobs; Kansas City by 5,400 jobs; Columbia by 3,500 jobs; Joplin by 1,600 jobs; St. Joseph by 900 jobs; and Jefferson City by 800 jobs.

The DED attributed the gains to seasonal employment in schools and colleges.

Springfield’s unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent from August to September, just slightly below the 3.8 percent rate in September 2005. Missouri’s unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in September, down slightly from 4.9 percent in September 2005.

The Springfield metropolitan area comprises Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster counties. Dallas County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 5.1 percent, a sharp increase from 4.2 percent a year ago. Christian County’s 3.3 percent rate, unchanged from a year ago, was the lowest in the Springfield MSA. Greene County’s was 3.7 percent.

Year-to-date in Springfield, growth in retail trade, private educational and health services, and leisure and hospitality industries pushed employment up by 4,300 jobs, or 2.2 percent, since September 2005.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Nov. 6 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.