Ohio unemployment unchanged at 9.1 percent

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Unemployment is holding steady in Ohio after three-straight months of rising joblessness.

The state’s Department of Job and Family Services said Friday Ohio’s unemployment rate stood at 9.1 percent in September, unchanged from August.

The national jobless rate for September also remained at 9.1 percent during the last two months.

State officials say the number of workers unemployed in Ohio during September was 534,000, down from 536,000 in August. Meanwhile, payrolls outside of farms fell by 21,600 last month.

The state lost jobs in manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, and educational and health services.

Gains were seen in Ohio’s information industry and in trade, transportation, and utilities.

The state’s unemployment rate had been on the rise recently after falling to a more than two-year low earlier in the year.

The Mahoning Valley’s August unemployment figures, which totaled 9.7 percent in August, will be released Tuesday.