East Texas Business

From Staff and Wire Reports

Tyler’s employment rate slipped three-tenths of a percentage point, to 95.7 percent last month.

State employment also dipped four-tenths of a percentage point, to 95.5 percent, after hitting a record high 95.9 percent in April.

Although Tyler showed a gain of 400 jobs in May, its labor force was about 500 people greater than in April, according to the Texas Workforce Commission report released Friday. Government lost 100 jobs in May, and was the only job classification that lost employment numbers.

In May 2007, Tyler’s employment rate was 96.1 percent.

Longview gained 300 jobs in May, but posted a 96.2 percent employment rate, down from April’s 96.7 percent. In May 2007, Longview posted a 96.3 percent employment rate.

Like Tyler, Longview’s labor force grew by about 400 people.

Texas’ rate dip followed a decrease in the national employment rate from 95 percent in April to 94.5 percent last month.

The workforce commission said that nonfarm employment in the state grew by 8,700 jobs in May, helped by hiring in the education and health care fields.

Still, that was the smallest one-month gain in jobs since last September.

Job growth in Texas over the past 12 months averaged 2.3 percent, compared with a 0.2 percent growth rate nationally.

But the uptick in Texas jobs wasn’t enough to offset an increase in the number of people unable to find work — up 40,700 to 522,400, the commission estimated based on surveys.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits were 63,522 in May, down from 65,901 in April, according to a commission report.

The biggest increase in May jobs was in education and health services, up by 5,400. Professional and business services added 1,700 jobs, leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs, and construction employment grew by 1,100, the commission said.

Misti Neas, a recruiter in Dallas for job-placement firm Ajilon, said demand remained strong for professionals at oil and gas companies, utilities, manufacturing and health care.

“The economy obviously is slowing down, but it’s still a candidate-driven market compared to right after 9-11, when employers could be really selective,” Neas said.

By region, the highest employment rate remained in Midland, at 97.3 percent.

The lowest rate in the state continued to be along the border with Mexico, with McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area posting a 93.9 percent rate.

Business Editor Greg Junek contributed to this report.