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Connecticut's Unemployment Rate Drops To 6.0%

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Connecticut's preliminary estimates indicate the state added 6,600 jobs in May, lowering the jobless rate by two-tenths of a point since April to 6.0 percent, the state Department of Labor said Thursday. 

Connecticut has now increased job levels by 26,100 since May 2014 to 1,691,800. 

The unemployment rate in the state is down by six-tenths of a percentage point from May 2014, when it stood at 6.6 percent. The number of unemployed citizens in the state has declined by 9,454 to 115,158 since May 2014.

“Connecticut year-to-date job gains are showing their strongest performance since the employment recovery began in 2010,” said Andy Condon, director of the Office of Research at the labor department. “The state’s jobless rate has fallen quickly in the last two months, even with strong labor force growth, and it appears to be converging closer to the U.S. jobless rate" of 5.4 percent.

Gov. Dannel Malloy applauded the news. 

“This jobs report is yet another validation of our progress – because of our efforts, Connecticut’s economy is growing, job numbers are steadily improving, and employment is reaching heights that it hasn’t in decades,” Malloy said. “Our efforts are focused on delivering long-term growth and prosperity.”

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman echoed the praise. 

“This is very encouraging news for Connecticut’s labor force and our businesses,” Wyman said. “These numbers represent declining unemployment, more workers in the job market, and more jobs created throughout the state. But most important, today’s announcement speaks to the strong partnerships we are building in the business community and the commitment we’ve made to residents through expanded job training and employment programs.”

The private sector has now refilled 103,100, or 92.4 percent, of the 111,600 private sector jobs that were lost during the Great Recession, the labor department said.

 

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