Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 11:04 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Unemployment jumped in March in Nevada to 5.5 percent with an estimated 60,600 people out of work, the state reported today.
The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said the increase from 5 percent in February was the first statistically significant rise in the jobless rate in more than six months.
There were 1,200 more persons out of work in March than in February.
Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "The March figures are a cause for concern but the economic picture is incomplete." He said other economic data, such as gaming and sales tax, has not been released.
"The increase in Nevada's unemployment rate is a reflection of the general economic weakness of the nation." He said the state's future depends on the recovery of the national economy.
The state department said, however, that Nevada's unemployment rates remains below the national average of 5.8 percent and the 6.6 percent of neighboring California.
The Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area that includes Clark and Nye counties and Mohave County in Arizona reported a 5.4 percent jobless rate, up from 5.2 percent in February but below the 6 percent of March 2002. There were an estimated 47,500 people out of work, up 1,300 from February.
The department said statewide total employment fell to 1.047 million, down from 1.054 million in February.
Statewide, the number of jobs in hotels, and casinos fell by 0.5 percent to 203,400 compared to the same month of a year ago. The department said those employed in construction rose 3.4 percent to 91,100; manufacturing grew by 0.5 percent to 42,300 jobs; trade increased by 1.4 percent to 189,000 and government jobs were up 4.2 percent to 137,500.
In the Las Vegas area, total employment fell to 830,900, down from the 836,000 in February. The department said employment in hotels and casinos inched up 0.1 percent to 163,200 compared to a year ago.
Construction employment in the Las Vegas area was up 3.3 percent to 75,600 in the year-to-year comparison; Trade jobs rose 1.9 percent to 140,900; and government grew 4.8 percent to 91,800 jobs.
The department said unemployment in Washoe County remained at 4.9 percent, the same as February. There were 9,500 people out of work. Total employment dropped from 187,000 in February to 185,500 in March.
The Carson City labor market area that includes Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties reported a 6.5 percent jobless rate, down one-tenth of a percent from February. Elko and Eureka counties recorded an unemployment rate of 6.6 percent, a two-tenths of a percentage point dropped from February.
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