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Iowa unemployment rate rises in July
George C. Ford
Aug. 18, 2014 5:00 pm, Updated: Aug. 18, 2014 5:31 pm
Iowa's labor force expanded again in July, causing the state's unemployment rate to edge up to 4.5 percent from 4.4 percent in June.
Iowa's jobless rate stood at 4.8 percent a year ago.
The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 76,900 in July from 74,300 in June. The current estimate is 3,700 lower than the year ago level of 80,600.
The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,623,800 in July from 1,624,700 in June. This figure was 900 lower than June and 30,300 higher than one year ago.
'The state's labor force continued to expand in July, causing a slight increase in the monthly unemployment rate,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. 'Iowa's labor force has grown steadily this year, and surpassed 1.7 million in July.”
Iowa nonfarm employment totaled 1,550,200 jobs in July and remained unchanged since June. Job gains in the private sector were exactly offset by declines in government.
Education and health services added the most jobs in July due to gains in private education services and health care services.
Professional and business services employment, which gained 1,000 jobs, was supported by growth in professional, scientific and technical services in July. Construction also fared well with an additional 1,000 jobs, marking the fourth consecutive month for job gains.
Leisure and hospitality experienced an unexpectedly large drop of 2,300 jobs in July with the losses being nearly even in accommodations and food services and arts and entertainment.
Trade and transportation also shed 2,300 jobs due primarily to losses in transportation and retail.
Iowa manufacturing employment will be affected next month with Tyson Foods' plans to close its deli foods plant in Cherokee, eliminating 450 jobs. The plant closing is scheduled to occur on Sept. 27.