Unemployment down in Pierce County in February

The unemployment rate in Pierce County fell slightly in February, while the rate in Thurston County has remained stable.

The state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday that the unemployment rate in Pierce County in February stood at 6.6 percent, down from 6.7 percent recorded in January.

In Thurston County, the February rate of 6.3 percent mirrored the figure noted the month before.

The February figures were the lowest in both counties for the month since 2008.

“In Pierce it’s a lot of construction, but there’s everything else. Things are still moving along,” said Jim Vleming, regional labor economist with the department, on Tuesday.

The hospitality industry in Pierce County added 2,500 positions over last year, Vleming said, while trade added 2,800.

Both Pierce and Thurston counties are showing better results than the state overall.

“I think things are moving along,” Vleming said. “What’s impressive in Pierce County is the construction. There’s been nice growth over the year. I expect it will continue along that path.”

The gains in construction jobs in both counties, coupled with additional jobs in the hospitality industry, signal steady growth, he said.

“That’s indicative of confidence in the economy.”

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Unemployment down in Pierce County in February."