Unemployment Numbers Go Down

Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced Tennessee’s unemployment rate for February fell to 8.0 percent, down from the January revised rate of 8.2 percent. The national unemployment rate for February 2012 was 8.3 percent, unchanged from the January rate. “The state experienced a net increase of approximately 4,800 jobs in February,” Commissioner Davis said. “While it is a small change in the job picture, Tennessee’s unemployment rate is the lowest since November 2008.” UT Economist Bill Fox added, “The business survey data shows strong year-over-year growth with an increase of more than 50,000 jobs. The monthly data also show reasonable increases in healthcare, durable manufacturing, and temporary employment agencies.”