State's unemployment rate ticks slightly higher

Arkansas' unemployment rate was up slightly in April, the Department of Workforce Services said Wednesday.

The agency reported the statewide unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent, up from 5.6 percent in March. It was still down, however, from the 6.3 percent rate posted in April 2014.

The national unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent, down slightly from 5.5 percent in March.

The Department of Workforce Services said the number of employed Arkansans actually increased about 0.2 percent in the period, from 1,256,200 in March to 1,258,800 in April. But the number of unemployed Arkansans also rose, from 74,600 in March to 76,100 in April, an increase of about 2 percent.

The agency said nonfarm payroll jobs were up by 13,700 positions in April, with 3,100 jobs added in the leisure and hospitality sector, 2,800 added in construction, 2,600 in trade, transportation and utilities and 2,200 in retail.

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