October jobless rate falls to 14.1 percent in Las Vegas

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 | 6:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY – The unemployment rate in Las Vegas fell to 14.1 percent in October, the first decline in nearly five years.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, reported today there were 134,500 jobless in the Las Vegas area, down from 145,400 in September, when the jobless rate was 15 percent.

The state’s unemployment rate inched down from 14.4 percent in September to 14.1 percent in October with 181,600 out of work. It was still far ahead of the national rate of 9.6 percent.

“This is a clear sign that the recession’s grip on Nevada may finally be loosening,” said Bill Anderson, chief economist for the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

He added that many key industries remain weak.

“The number of jobs being eliminated is stabilizing, but there is no sign of a major job growth on the horizon,” he said.

For the first time since May, the number of construction workers employed in the Las Vegas area rose, to 46,400, up 100 workers from September. The utilities, transportation and trade industries grew to 144,200 employed, compared to 143,900 in September.

But the gaming and hotel business in Las Vegas showed a drop in employment. It fell to 152,700 workers, down 700 from September.

Manufacturing employment in Las Vegas registered 19,600 in October, down 100 workers from September.

The department reported the jobless rate in the Reno-Sparks area fell from 13.5 percent in September to 12.8 percent in October. Carson City’s rate declined from 13.3 percent to 12.5 percent.

Anderson said one reason for the fall in the unemployment rate is a decline in the number of people looking for jobs.

“Most likely, a number of workers have moved out of state, while some have become discouraged and stopped looking for work,” he said.

He said the unemployment rate may have reached its peak “but we don’t expect it to decline much in the year ahead.”