By Jasmyn Belcher
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrvo/local-wrvo-908273.mp3
Oswego, NY – According to the New York State Department of Labor, economic recovery has begun in Syracuse.
The unemployment rate in the Syracuse area fell to 7.6 percent last month. That's the first month there has been an actual year-to-year improvement in jobless rates since before the recession began.
Roger Evans is a Principal Economist with the state Department of Labor. He said the numbers aren't even offset by the 700 temporary jobs with the U.S. Census.
"If you look at the improvement, it's not only in the total number of jobs, it's also in the total private sector jobs counts. We're seeing gains outside of the census. We're seeing gains in the private sector, primarily education and health," Evans said.
Evans said over the last year, education and health services added 2100 jobs, leisure and hospitality added 300 and construction jobs were up by 300. At the same time, Evans said the jobless rate is still the second highest May unemployment rate on record. Last year was the highest.