Tulsa World: Oklahoma jobless rate dips

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Oklahoma jobless rate dips

By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Published: 10/21/2009 3:21 PM
Last Modified: 10/21/2009 3:27 PM

After steadily climbing this year, the state’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in September, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Oklahoma’s jobless rate dropped to 6.7 percent in September from 6.8 percent in August, making it the fifth lowest rate in the nation.

“Whether it’s a trend on the way down, it’s too early to tell, but we’re certainly hopeful that that would be the case,” said Keith Hazelton, director of economic research for the Oklahoma Bankers Association.

A year ago at the same time, Oklahoma’s rate was 4.0 percent.

In September, the state's nonfarm employment shed 9,200 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted data.

Three supersectors - construction; trade, transportation and utilities; and professional and business services added jobs over the month. Monthly losses were widespread with the largest drops reported in leisure and hospitality and government, according to the OESC. By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Jobless picture slightly brighter," which was published on 10/22/2009. So far, 13 comments have been made.