Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — The slow but consistent job growth in the Buffalo Niagara Falls region took a step backwards in August.
The New York State Labor Department reported last week employment for last month fell by 400 jobs, or 0.1 percent, compared with August 2011. It was the first decline for the region on a year-over-year basis since December 2011. August’s numbers also ended a streak of seven consecutive months of year-over-year increases locally.
Private sector job growth in the Buffalo Niagara Falls region was close to flat from August 2011, increasing by 200 jobs to 454,100.
By comparison, employment grew 1.4 percent over the past year at both the state and the national level in August. New York added 117,300 jobs while the rest of the country added 1.8 million.
In August, the state added 3,300 private sector jobs and has regained all of the jobs it lost during the recession, adding 102,000 private sector jobs over the past 12 months. First-time unemployment claims are down 10,484 or 10 percent from a year ago, with 96,334 filing in August.
But New York state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.1 percent in August.
“New York continues to see steady job growth and a decrease in first-time unemployment claims,” said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, deputy director of the Division of Research and Statistics.
Over the past month, the state lost 36,400 jobs, including 17,500 in the private sector, when August was compared to July numbers.
In specific job categories, the state saw year-over-year declines in government, which lost 15,300 jobs. Construction is down 10,800 jobs and manufacturing is down 3,300.
Service-providing jobs are up 131,600 over the year statewide. Retail trade is also up 14,400 jobs. Professional and business services are up 56,500 and education and health services are up 38,100 jobs.
Over the past 12 months, the Buffalo Niagara Falls region lost 800 jobs in the service-providing industry. The region also took a hit in retail trade, losing 600 jobs.
Goods producing was up 600 jobs locally for the past year, while manufacturing was up 500.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
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