Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

State job machine humming

CARSON CITY -- Unemployment fell one tenth of a percentage point from March to April to 4.3 percent in Nevada, the state reported today.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said total employment for the month grew 4.6 percent from a year ago to 1,123,300, an increase of 49,200 jobs compared with April 2003.

There were an estimated 50,900 people out of work -- and there were signs that employment in the hotel-casino industry is starting to rebound, the agency said.

The 4.3 percent compared with the national rate of 5.6 percent and California's 6.2 percent unemployment rate.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "Another month of job growth and a declining unemployment rate confirms the strength of Nevada's economy.

"Perhaps the most gratifying element of this month's report was the increase of 2,200 jobs during the past month in the casino, hotel and gaming sector. Considering that the tourism industry has lagged behind many other parts of the state's economy in producing new jobs, this is a positive trend."

The department said casinos, hotels and gaming statewide accounted for 205,800 jobs, up 0.8 percent from a year ago.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes Clark and Nye counties and Arizona's Mohave County posted a 4.4 percent jobless rate in April, the same as March. There were an estimated 40,800 people out of work in the fast-growing Las Vegas area.

Total employment in the Las Vegas area reached 851,400, up 4.8 percent from a year ago. Jobs in casinos, hotels and gaming rose to 166,800, up 1.7 percent compared with April 2003.

Birgit Baker, director of the department, said, "Employment growth in the gaming industry followed very strong March visitor activity that helped the state's economy reach or exceed several tourism records. Barring an unforeseen shock to the economy, we expect job growth in the gaming industry to accelerate in the next 12 months."

Statewide there were 107,500 people employed in construction, up 11.8 percent from April of a year ago; manufacturing grew 4.5 percent to 45,100 jobs; trade increased 4.2 percent to 198,500 employed; professional and business services grew 6.7 percent to 126,600 on the job and government employment increased 2.4 percent to 140,400 compared to a year ago.

The department said construction employment in the Las Vegas area grew 10.1 percent to 86,900; manufacturing was up 6.4 percent to 26,600; trade increased 4.4 percent to 149,100; professional and business services jumped 5.4 percent to 97,000 and government employment rose 3 percent to 94,200.

Washoe County reported an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, down from 4.1 percent in the previous month. There were an estimated 8,000 people out of work.

Total employment in Washoe County reached 205,600, up 4.2 percent.

The Carson City labor market area that includes Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties posted a 5.3 percent jobless rate, down from 5.6 percent in March. There were an estimated 3,340 people out of work. Total employment reached 59,400, up 2.4 percent from a year ago.

Elko and Eureka counties registered a 4.1 percent unemployment rate, down from 4.5 percent in March. There were an estimated 890 workers jobless. Total employment rose 9.3 percent to 20,770 compared to a year ago.

Separately, the U.S. Labor Department today said unemployment rates fell in 11 of the 17 battleground states, including Nevada, that could decide the presidential election, with Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin showing the biggest declines last month.

Four of the battleground states saw jobless rates rise: Arizona, Arkansas, Ohio and Washington. Jobless rates in two battleground states remained the same: New Mexico and Pennsylvania. Overall, unemployment rates were lower in 29 states, higher in 14 states and the District of Columbia, and unchanged in seven states.

President Bush's economic team hit the road to tout an improving jobs market.

"The economy is robust, new jobs are growing and the unemployment rate is dropping across the country," Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said. She was headed to Minnesota to visit a job-training program run by a religious group that was awarded a $1.9 million federal grant to train workers for the health care industry.

In Las Vegas, Director of the U.S. Mint Henrietta Holsman Fore set up media interviews at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce to promote the Bush economic record.

Treasury Secretary John Snow was in Ohio visiting an auto plant, and Commerce Secretary Donald Evans was dispatched to Florida for a town hall meeting.

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