Nevada jobless rate continues at 4.6 percent

Friday, April 24, 1998 | 11:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- While other parts of Nevada's economy show signs of a slowdown, the jobless rate continued at 4.6 percent in March, with an estimated 39,200 people out of work.

There was no change from February in unemployment, which was one-tenth of a percent below the national average and 1.4 percent lower than California.

Earlier state reports show gross revenue from the casinos and taxable sales from business both dropped in February as the downturn in the economy widens.

But Carol Jackson, director of the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said today, "Nevada's job growth remains strong at 4.1 percent over the year -- with about 80 percent of the new jobs creation in the Las Vegas area.

"Nevada is ranked second in the nation for job growth -- Arizona took over the top ranking several months ago, a spot Nevada held for three years running.

"With our low unemployment -- and low inflation -- we see no dramatic slowing in the economic picture over the next several months. As a matter of fact, several new projects should perpetuate our job growth outlook," she said.

The department said unemployment in the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area dropped to 4.1 percent in March, down one-tenth of a percent from February. There were an estimated 27,700 people jobless.

Total employment in the area, which includes Clark and Nye counties and Mohave County in Arizona, reached 656,600, up 4.6 percent from February of a year ago.

Among the projects that should help the jobs economy are an expansion of the Sunset Station in Henderson; construction of the Wild, Wild West hotel-casino in Henderson and a $280 million power plant in Boulder City, Jackson said.

The department said construction employment in the Las Vegas area rose 7 percent from March 1997; manufacturing was up 4.1 percent; transportation increased by 6.7 percent; trade gained 4.9 percent; government employment increased 7 percent and the service industries which includes hotels and gaming , was up 3.3 percent.

Statewide, the department reported total employment reached 912,300, up 4.1 percent from a year ago. Mining employment was the only sector that dropped, falling by 1,100 jobs as the price of gold declined.

Construction employment statewide was up 7.1 percent; manufacturing rose 5.8 percent; transportation gained 5.7 percent; trade jumped 5 percent and the service industries was up 3 percent.

The department said the unemployment rate in Washoe County fell from 4.8 percent in February to 4.1 percent in March with an estimated 7,000 people out of work. Carson City's unemployment rate remained at fell from 7.5 percent in February to 6.5 percent in March. The area includes Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties and Carson City.