Nevada jobless rate ticks down to 6-year low

By Cy Ryan

Published Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 | 7:46 a.m.

Updated Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 | 8:31 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevada’s unemployment rate inched down to 7.6 percent in August, its lowest rate in six years.

That’s 2.2 percent lower than the same month last year.

The national unemployment rate for last month was 6.1 percent.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported that Nevada’s unemployment rate has either declined or held steady since July 2011. Last month’s rate of 7.6 percent was the lowest since August 2008.

Unemployment in Clark County dropped from 8.2 percent in July to 7.7 percent in August. The number of people employed in casinos and hotels in Clark County inched up 1.7 percent to 161,100 compared to August 2013.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said he was pleased with the news. But, he said, “We know there remains much work to be done by way of economic development and ensuring that small businesses can grow and expand to put more Nevadans to work.”

Department Economist Bill Anderson said construction employment grew 12.8 percent statewide compared to the same month of a year ago, with 7,200 more jobs.

“Nevada’s economy has been on the mend since 2011,” Anderson said. The jobless rate has been cut nearly in half from its recessionary high.