For the first time since April, the unemployment rate in Chautauqua County has decreased.
The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percent, going from 8.8 in June to 8.5 in July, according to the state Labor Department. To go along with a lower unemployment rate, the number of county residents employed increased more than 4 percent. In July, 60,400 people were employed in the county, which was 2,500 greater than the 57,900 amount in June.
Several different job sectors increased in the amount of workers between June and July in the county. The largest increase was in leisure and hospitality, which increased 8.9 percent or by 500 employees. Education and health services increased by 8.4 percent or 800 workers; financial activities increased 7.1 percent or 100 employees; and natural resources, mining and construction increased 4.5 percent or 100 laborers.
The state's unemployment rate increased 0.2 percent, going from 8.9 in June to 9.1 in July. Even with the month-to-month unemployment increase, since July 2011 the state's labor force has grown by more than 100,000.
"Growth in our statewide labor force in recent months has contributed to a higher state jobless rate, as more New Yorkers have confidence in the job market," said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, state Division of Research and Statistics deputy director. "The latest job statistics show that more than 100,000 New Yorkers entered the labor force over the past year."
During the last year, professional and business services added the most jobs, 52,500, of any job sector. Private educational and health services increased by 38,500, which was the second largest job sector growth since last July.
During the past year, government lost more jobs, 8,900, than any other sector in the state. Construction decreased 6,800 jobs since last July.