Numbers level off for unemployment

    Texas’ unemployment rate in March was 5.8 percent, the same as in February, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

   Diane Rath, TWC chair, said the unemployment rate appears to be leveling off after significant gains over the past year.

   In March, 1,900 non-farm jobs became available in Texas although 3,300 manufacturing jobs were lost.

   “This is the third month of nonagricultural job growth—positive news for Texas’ economy,” T.P. O’Mahoney, commissioner representing labor, said.

   O’Mahoney expressed concern for the manufacturing industry.

   Retail trade and government were the fastest growing industries for the second consecutive month, with gains of 2,200 and 4,900, respectively

   Ron Lehman, commissioner representing employers, was glad to see the growth in retail trade and government.

   Among the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), Bryan-College Station had the lowest unemployment with 1.6 percent.

   Lubbock and San Angelo were second and third with 3 percent and 3.1 percent.

   Amarillo had 3.2 percent unemployment, and Wichita Falls had 3.7 percent.

   McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA had the highest unemployment in Texas at 12 percent.

   Next was Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito at 9.8 percent.

   El Paso followed at 7.9 percent and Laredo had 7.2 percent.

   Beaumont-Port Arthur and Sherman-Denison were tied for fifth highest at 6.8 percent.

   For more information, the Labor Market Information Department can be contacted by phone at 512-491-4922 or the toll free number at 1-866-938-4444.

   The organization can be reached by email: lmi@twc.state.tx.us or on the Internet at http://www.texasworkforce.org/lmi/lfs/lfshome.html.