C.R. Unemployment Rate Jumps to 7.3%

By Dave DeWitte

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Mar 10, 2010 at 10:54 AM CST

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2010 at 6:34 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Unemployment in the Cedar Rapids metro area leapt in January, as job cuts in retail, trade and transportation hit workers.

The January unemployment figure rose to 7.3 percent in the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area, from 6.5 percent in December.

Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area unemployment increased to 5.1 percent from 4.6 percent in December.

Unemployment barely rose statewide, edging to 6.6 percent from 6.5 percent in December. The release of the January numbers was delayed by an annual reconciliation of 2009 unemployment statistics.

The total number of unemployed workers statewide increased by 1,200 in January to 111,000, while the overall number of working Iowans increased by 2,600, to 1,570,200.

“Recent indicators show that confidence is beginning to rebuild among the state’s employers, which will gradually lead to hiring activity,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck said.

Trade and transportation jobs increased 3,400 in January statewide. That wasn’t the case in the Corridor, where many retail, trade and transportation jobs are concentrated.

Trade and transportation jobs slipped by 900 in the Cedar Rapids metro area from December to January, and by 700 jobs in the Iowa City metro area.

Next Article OWI Charge Against Keokuk County Sheriff Dismissed

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.