ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050079
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON
The Roanoke metropolitan area ranked sixth among eight metro areas in the state in November job growth, state labor officials said Tuesday.
The region, consisting of Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County and Botetourt County, posted a total of 140,100 jobs, up slightly from a year earlier. The unemployment rate in November was 2.6 percent, and the rate has remained at or near its lowest level since the 1990 recession.
According to the new report, the region gained 900 service jobs and 300 each in the trade and finance sectors, but lost 600 in manufacturing, 400 in transportation and 100 in government.
In contrast, the state's growth was six times that of the local area. The greatest percentage gains were in high-paying service industries related to business, computers and professional consulting. That category grew by 20,300 jobs.
Manufacturing industry employment across the state fell by 3,500 positions, or 0.9 percent, to 396,400. Losses were in textiles, apparel, shipbuilding, defense and mining. Construction jobs increased 2,500, or 1.4 percent, to 175,000. Government work across the state increased by 3,300 positions, or 0.5 percent, to 609,200.
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by staff: Employment in Virginia metro areas. KEYWORDS: MGRby CNB