Unemployment rate rises

PROVIDENCE — Possibly a sign of a slowing economy, the state’s unemployment rate
went up .1 percent in December to 3.7 percent and the number of jobs in Rhode
Island decreased by 900, or about .2 percent from the previous month. The state’s
unemployment rate is still below the national rate of 4 percent, but higher than
other New England states. Compared to a year ago, however, jobs in Rhode Island
increased by 1.5 percent or 7,200, to 480,800. From November to December the sectors
that gained jobs were trade, which includes retail, 1,100; and government, 100
attributable to a seasonal increase in postal workers. Losing jobs were contract
construction, 400; manufacturing, 100 mainly in jewelry and silverware; services,
1,200 attributable to seasonal declines; finance insurance and real estate, 300,
attributable to cutbacks at local banks.