GOVERNOR BULLOCK ANNOUNCES MONTANA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STEADY AT 4.3 PERCENT IN OCTOBER

MONTANA– Governor Steve Bullock today announced Montana’s unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3 percent in October, with payroll employment increasing by 2,200 jobs.  The national unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 4.9 percent.  “Montana’s economy continues to grow and diversify, creating new opportunities for Main Street businesses to expand and hire more hard-working Montanans,” said Governor Bullock. “We must continue to ensure that those businesses have a pipeline of highly-trained, skilled workers to fill the good-paying jobs being created.” Payroll employment estimates indicate over-the-month job growth of 2,200 jobs, with strong gains in the construction and leisure activities industries.  Total employment estimates, which include the self-employed and agricultural employment in addition to payroll employment, indicated an over-the-month gain of roughly 1,200 jobs.