DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Iowa Workforce Development is reporting that a slight increase in unemployment, the state has seen job growth for the third consecutive month.
There were 7,300 jobs added to the state's economy in March. Despite the job growth, Iowa's unemployment showed a fractional increase to 6.8 from 6.7 percent in February. A year ago, the state's unemployment rate was 5.5 percent.
The state added 2,800 professional and business services jobs; 2,000 government positions, 1,400 factory jobs, and 1,000 leisure and hospitality jobs. Most of the new government jobs were related to the census.
Iowa also saw job growth in mining, trade and transportation, and financial and other services.
Workforce development director Elisabeth Buck, said Friday it will take time to achieve the strong and sustained job growth needed to significantly reduce unemployment.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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