Ohio unemployment edges up 10.9 percent in February

COLUMBUS (AP) — Officials say unemployment has edged up to 10.9 percent in Ohio as more people have entered the job market but have been unable to find work.

The February jobless rate released Friday represents a slight increase from January’s joblessness of 10.8 percent.

The state rate is more than a full percentage point higher than the national one for February, of 9.7 percent. A year ago, Ohio had unemployment of 9.1 percent.

The state’s Department of Job and Family Services says the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in February was 647,000, up from 641,000 in January. The number of people employed outside of farms also increased, by 3,500.

Officials say hiring increased in services while job losses continued in the state’s goods-producing industries.