LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ unemployment rate jumped half a percentage point in October, as seasonal jobs wilted away and the national economic slowdown began hitting state manufacturers.
Data from the state Department of Workforce Services shows the unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent. The national unemployment rate rose by four-tenths of a percentage point to 6.5 percent.
The largest sector hit last month was in leisure and hospitality, which saw a loss of 2,300 jobs. Manufacturers let go of 1,300 workers in both permanent and temporary layoffs. Construction also fell by 1,300 jobs, due to weather and the housing market slowdown.
Overall, officials estimate that 1.2 million Arkansans worked nonfarm jobs in October.
