Cedar Rapids adds manufacturing jobs in July

Manufacturing was the bring spot in an otherwise mixed Corridor job picture during July.

Unemployment in the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area fell to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, as manufacturing added 500 jobs. The manufacturing gains helped to offset a seasonal reduction of 2,500 in local government employment during the summer vacation season at public schools, and a reduction of 200 in retail trade.

In the Iowa City MSA, the unemployment rate rose to 4.9 percent from 4.8 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. Employment drops of  100 employees were reported in transportation, retail trade and state government, but the big drop was a seasonal reduction of 1,200 in local government.

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