EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES RISE IN DALLAS-FORT WORTH...HOPE FOR UNEMPLOYED HOMEOWNERS!

The Dallas-Fort Worth unemployment rate slipped to 4.3 percent in February, while the statewide rate reached a 30-year low of 4.1 percent.

The Dallas-Fort Worth jobless rate was down from 4.6 percent in January and 4.5 percent in February last year. The numbers are not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations.

The February unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the Dallas-Plano-Irving area and 4.2 percent in the Fort Worth-Arlington area, compared with 4.6 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, in January.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in February, down from 4.3 percent in January and 4.5 percent in February 2007, reflecting lows not seen since the mid-1970s, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Texas' jobless rate was well below the national rate of 4.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment in Texas grew by 13,500 jobs in February. Texas employers added 235,000 jobs over the past 12 months, for an annual growth rate of 2.3 percent.

"Texas has once again reached a prominent benchmark - a more than 30 year record low for unemployment," Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken said in a statement. "Our falling unemployment, coupled with this month's significant job gains, indicates the sustained health and vitality of the Texas economy."

Among the metropolitan areas surveyed, Midland had the lowest jobless rate, of 2.6 percent, while Odessa was second at 3.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo at 3.2 percent.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector had the strongest job growth, with 6,600 jobs added in February and 37,400 jobs created over the past year. The leisure and hospitality industry added 4,900 jobs last month and 42,400 jobs in the past year.

The construction industry gained 1,900 positions in February and had an annual job growth rate of 4.3 percent. The financial activities and professional and business services sectors grew by 1,800 and 1,600 positions, respectively, adding more than 60,000 jobs this past year

(courtesy of DBJ)