TOPEKA — The unemployment rate in area counties fell in October. The Kansas state unemployment rate also fell to 6.2 percent from 6.6 percent in September. “We are moving towards closing the gap which occurred at the beginning of this recession when the job loss was significant,” said Karin Brownlee, Kansas secretary of labor. “Our job growth continues to incrementally move in the right direction.” The state has seen slow but steady job growth over the past months, said Inayat Noormohmad, senior labor economist. According to October estimates, Kansas gained 9,000 nonfarm jobs over the month, a 0.7 percent increase. Six of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-month job gains including government, professional and business services, education and health services. Three of the major industries reported statewide over-the-month job losses: leisure and hospitality, financial and insurance, and trade, transportation and utilities. The unemployment rate: Franklin County, 7.1 percent in October, down from 7.3 percent in September; Anderson County, 6.8 percent, down from 7.5; Miami County, 7.4 percent, down from 7.7 percent; Osage County, 7.1 percent, down from 7.5 percent; Douglas County, 5.4 percent, down from 5.9 percent; Coffey County, 5.7 percent, down from 6.7 percent; Linn County, 8.7 percent, down from 9 percent; and Johnson County, 5.9 percent, down from 6 percent.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m.
