December Job Numbers Up, Boosting Employment In ‘06

WETHERSFIELD (AP) — A strong holiday season helped Connecticut’s economy add 1,200 jobs from November to December, while the unemployment rate dropped slightly, to 4.2 percent, the state Department of Labor said Monday. The jobless rate in November was 4.4 percent.

Employment in Connecticut totaled about 1.68 million. The professional and business services sector showed the largest gain, with 1,200 new jobs. Increases also were reported in construction, up 600, and information and financial activities, each up by 300 jobs.

Educational and health services declined by 1,000 jobs and manufacturing fell by 400.

“The 2006 holiday season proved profitable for the state’s economy,” said John Tirinzonie, a state labor economist.

Jobs have increased by 5,000 in the past three month, bringing the total employment gain for 2006 to an estimated 10,600 jobs, state labor officials said.

The employment outlook for Connecticut in 2007 “should come close to the increase” last year, though employment in parts of the manufacturing sector “may be the one soft spot in our economic performance,” Tirinzonie said.