Missouri’s unemployment rate holds steady from April to May. It was 8.9 percent in April and 8.9 percent in May, a couple of tenths under the national figure. Retail jobs slipped a little in May. But manufacturing gained 1100 more jobs, another month of gains in that sector.
Economic Development Department spokesman John Fougere says holding at 8.9 percent isn’t bad, given all of the things that happened in May that cost Missourians jobs.
Fougere says another factor is the end of school and the entrance of many students into the job market. That inflates the number of people looking for work. Fougere says some of those students had trouble finding it.
Fougere thinks June might give us a better indication of our economy. By then the outdoor jobs such as construction should be in full swing and tourism attractions all will be open.
Listen to interview with John Fougere 4:54 mp3
