CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia's unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent in March, down from 8.2 percent in February.
WorkForce West Virginia says the number of unemployed residents fell by 2,100 to 55,400.
There was an overall loss of 1,300 jobs in the service-providing sector, including 1,200 in trade, transportation and utilities, 1,000 in government, and 600 in leisure and hospitality. Helping offset those were job gains of 1,000 in professional and business services, 400 in financial activities and 300 in educational and health services.
The goods-producing sector gained 500 jobs, including 300 in construction and 200 in manufacturing.
The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 6.9 percent in March. That compares to the seasonally adjusted national rate of 8.2 percent.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
