Iowa’s unemployment rate remained unchanged for the fourth straight month in August, holding at three-point-two percent. Iowa Workforce Development executive director Beth Townsend says several areas saw job increases.
Townsend says durable manufacturing added around 900 jobs and non-durable manufacturing 400, along with increased hiring in healthcare, retail and hospitality. Townsend says a drop in the number of people looking for a job kept the unemployment rate from falling.
She says they hope to build back the labor force after those retirements.
Townsend says the number of claims for unemployment in Iowa remains at historic low levels, which is benefiting businesses.
She says that’s good for employers and hopefully will translate to more hiring as the year goes on.
