Unemployment in Las Vegas area takes a dip

CARSON CITY — For the first time in four months, the unemployment rate has dropped in the Las Vegas area, dipping to 13.6 percent in September. The number of unemployed fell from 135,720 in August to 129,400 in September. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported today the statewide rate stabilized at 13.4 percent for the month, the same rate as in August. Gov. Brian Sandoval said, “This month it appears the unemployment rate is stabilizing and that job growth is outpacing job losses.” Bill Anderson, chief economist for the department said, however, “While employers in the Silver State added 10,000 most were seasonal in nature.” The U.S. rate remained at 9.1 percent. 

In the Las Vegas area, construction employment grew by 1,000 jobs to a total of 41,900 in September. The number of jobs in the hotel-casino category increased by 800 to 161,200. The 13.6 percent in the Las Vegas area was the lowest since 12.1 percent in April and compared to the 14.2 percent in August. The department reported employment in manufacturing in the Las Vegas area remained at 18,300. The number of jobs in trade, transportation and utilities reached 143,400, up 400 from August. Washoe County, meanwhile, also saw a decline in unemployment, dropping from 13 percent in August to 12.6 percent in September. Carson City’s rate fell from 12.7 percent in August to 12.4 percent in September. MadOne