RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC/AP) — Governor McAuliffe announced Tuesday that Virginia’s unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in September, the lowest it’s been since 2008, even though the state lost a total of 200 jobs last month.
McAuliffe’s office said that Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has declined for three straight months and is lower than the national average.
“I am proud of the progress we are making creating new economic opportunities for families across the Commonwealth,” said Governor McAuliffe. “These new jobs numbers are a sign of genuine economic growth all over Virginia – but sequestration and congressional dysfunction still threaten our Commonwealth. As we prepare for another legislative session, my team and I are committed to continuing our progress by investing in education, health care, transportation and other essential elements of a new Virginia economy.”
But Virginian’s job growth continues to lag behind the nation and its unemployment rate is dropping because its labor force is shrinking, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.
The commission said September was the state’s third consecutive monthly job loss. The private sector increased by 2,100 jobs last month, but government jobs decreased by 2,300, according to the commission.
Virginia’s economy is heavily reliant on federal spending.
Click here for a greater statistical breakdown from the Virginia Employment Commission’s website.
