LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska’s unemployment rate in February remained at 2.8 percent for the seventh month in a row, according to a state report released Friday.
The Nebraska Labor Department said the preliminary February rate was just under the year-ago figure of 2.9 percent. It also was well below the new national figure of 3.8 percent, which is down from 4 percent in January.
“Department of Labor job centers are working to support high employment levels by connecting workers and companies with resources and programs across the state, including resources for those impacted by the flooding,” said Labor Commissioner John Albin.
The Missouri River and other state waterways swelled following heavy rains and snowmelt this month. The flooding has damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
The preliminary nonfarm employment figure last month was 1.01 million, up nearly 3,800 over the year and up nearly 1,000 over the month, the report said. Private industries with the most growth year over year were education and health services, up 1,168; financial activities, up 1,072; and leisure and hospitality, up 1,008. Month to month, the largest gains were seen in education and health, up 1,425; professional and business services, up 1,211; and manufacturing, up 741.
The preliminary Omaha-area rate for February was unchanged from the 3.2 percent of January. Lincoln’s preliminary rate also held steady at 2.7 percent. Grand Island’s preliminary rate dropped to 3.3 percent in February, compared with 4.6 percent in January.
The unemployment rates for Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha have not been seasonally adjusted, so they cannot be directly compared with the state unemployment rate.
Here are preliminary area labor market unemployment rates for February, followed by the January rates:
- Beatrice: 3.6, 3.7
- Columbus: 3.0, 2.9
- Fremont: 2.9, 3.0
- Hastings: 3.2, 3.4
- Kearney: 2.4, 2.5
- Lexington: 3.2, 3.2
- Norfolk: 3.0, 2.9
- North Platte: 3.2, 3.4
- Red Willow: 2.7, 2.7
- Scottsbluff: 3.9, 3.7
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