Local economy shows strong growth

Data released Friday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission confirmed anecdotal evidence that the New Orleans area economy is growing. The seven parish metro area added 8,800 jobs since February 2012. The unemployment rate also dropped from 7.4% in January to 7.0%. The state as a whole added 41,000 jobs in the last twelve months.

Louisiana job growth

Good news on state and local unemployment and job creation. The Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) reported that the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 6.8% in December. Thats down from 7.7% in December 2010. The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced December marked the 15th consecutive month the state added private sector jobs. Statewide job growth in 2011 was 48,300.