Bethany, Woodbridge Unemployment Spikes

Recovery from the recession that saw more than 100,000 jobs disappear from Connecticut continues to be slow – both locally and throughout the state.

In the May unemployment figures tracked by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Bethany’s rose by 18 people to 6 percent. Last month the rate was at a low of 5.5 percent.

In Woodbridge, 31 more unemployed people were added to the statistics. The unemployment rate rose from 4.3 percent to 4.9.

In Connecticut, the unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percent to 7.8 percent. Approximately 1,400 jobs were added in May. According to state figures, Connecticut recovered 34,900, or 29.7 percent, of the 117,500 total nonfarm jobs lost in the recession lasting March 2008 - February 2010.

“Given the fact that more people are trying to enter the work force because they’re more optimistic they can actually find a job, the change in the unemployment rate is not a surprise,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement.  “As I’ve said all along, changing an economy that failed to grow jobs in a meaningful way for a generation won’t happen overnight.  But I am committed to seeing this through.”

Bethany Jobs Figures

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

Total Labor Force

3,110

3,125

3,130

3,126

3,157

Employed People

2,915

2,931

2,924

2,955

2,968

Unemployed People

195

194

206

171

189

Unemployment Rate

6.3

6.2

6.6

5.5

6.0

Woodbridge Jobs Figures

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

Total Labor Force

4,651

4,648

4,686

4,691

4,792

Employed People

4,426

4,438

4,474

4,487

4,557

Unemployed People

225

210

212

204

235

Unemployment Rate

4.8

4.5

4.5

4.3

4.9