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September 21, 2010
New London County has lost 2,200 jobs in the past year - 1,100 during last month alone - more than any other region of the state, according to the latest statistics from the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The August figures don't include 355 layoffs announced this month at Mohegan Sun. The only other areas in the state to have lost jobs over the past year were Hartford County, down 400; Waterbury, off 100, and Torrington, sliding 700.
The region's unemployment rate last month was 8.7 percent, down a tenth of a percent from July but up nearly a full point from last year. A Labor Department spokesman said the falling jobless rate over the past month, despite escalating employment losses locally, may be tied to one set of statistics being seasonally adjusted and the other not being recalibrated.
Statewide, the unemployment rate rose slightly in August, to 9.1 percent from 8.9 percent in July, largely because of federal Census worker layoffs. But private-sector jobs increased about 1,100 over the past year on an adjusted basis, according to the Labor Department.
"Connecticut's path to recovery took some detours between July and August," said Salvatore DiPillo, in charge of labor statistics for the state. "Still, taking a look over the year, Connecticut's private sector employees are working more hours, initial unemployment claims are down and the state has added ... jobs in the private sector."
Job increases totaling 2,000 last month in the educational and health-service sector helped buoy the employment situation statewide. Other service employment, as well as the trade, transportation and utilities sector and the financial area produced new jobs as well.
Of the 6,300 jobs gained in educational and health services since August of last year, 3,600 are related to education and 2,700 tied to health care and social assistance.
Since the recession hit, the trade, transportation and utilities sector in the state was hit with 26,100 job losses - 8.3 percent of the workforce in this area. But retail industries have led a charge back in the past year, adding about 3,000 new positions.
"While many industry sectors still show employment losses over the year, there are signs that these are easing and, since the end of 2009, several sectors have added jobs," according to the Labor Department.
On the downside last month, the government sector lost 2,800 positions; professional and business services sliced 1,600 jobs, and leisure and hospitality ushered out 900 workers.
Many of the government-sector losses were related to Census layoffs. Employment in state government has risen 400 from last year, while federal government employees have increased 300, according to the report.
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