Unemployment up despite adding new jobs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Despite adding 13,000 jobs in July, Indiana’s unemployment rate crept upward to 10.2 percent.

While unemployment is higher in Indiana while compared to the nation’s 9.5% unemployment rate, the Hoosier state’s rate was lower than neighboring Illinois (10.3%), Ohio (10.3%) and Michigan (13.2 %).

"With two percent of the (US) population Hoosiers have captured nine percent of all new jobs in the nation," said Mark W. Everson, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "We're pleased with the continued improvement in manufacturing and signs of life in construction. Our unemployment rate stubbornly remains around ten percent because Indiana's positive job growth has encouraged thousands of Hoosiers to return to the labor force and resume their job hunt this year."

Indiana sectors reporting significant over-the-month employment increases include: Private Education and Health Services (4,600), Manufacturing (4,300), Construction (2,800), Financial Activities (1,600) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (1,100).