Nevada’s February jobless rate holds steady

Brendan Riley

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 | 10:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's jobless rate didn't change between January and February, prompting Gov. Kenny Guinn to say Monday that the state "is holding its own" despite a poor national economy.

While the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5 percent, the Republican governor said the state will continue to watch for signs of a tourism decrease, which could cut into revenues and cause the rate to go up.

A report from the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation shows the number of out-of-work Nevadans decreased by about 4,400 to 58,900. The number of people working increased slightly, to nearly 1.1, between January and February.

DETR chief Myla Florence said the jobless rate compares with a national rate of 5.8 percent and a 6.6 percent rate in neighboring California.

In Las Vegas, the unadjusted jobless rate in February was 5.2 percent, down from 5.6 percent in January. Of the statewide total of jobless people, about 45,900 were in the Las Vegas area and other towns and cities in Clark County. Also included in the area are Nye County, Nev., and Mohave County, Ariz.

In the Reno area, the unadjusted rate was 4.9 percent, down from 5.4 percent in January. The jobless total there was 9,600.

In the Carson City and Douglas-Lyon-Storey counties area, the unadjusted rate for February was 6.5 percent, down from 7.1 percent in the previous month, with 4,020 jobless.

The Elko-Eureka counties area had a 6.8 percent rate, down from 7 percent in January, with 1,380 jobless.

Statewide, between January and February the casino-related leisure and hospitality industry added 1,400 employees; construction added 500 workers; and transportation-utilities added 200 workers.

Government hiring increased 5,000, mainly due to teachers returning to classrooms after semester school breaks.

Retail trade dropped 1,200 workers; manufacturing added 100 employees; mining held steady; and finance-insurance-real estate was up 300 between January and February.

Over the year, total employment in all industries increased by about 25,600 jobs. The total includes people who hold more than one job.