According to July 2010 estimates from the Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas businesses gained 1,700 jobs over the year, a 0.1 percent increase. This marks the first over-the-year gain for total non-farm employment since October 2008.

The KDL report released Friday afternoon said the July 2010 unemployment rate in the Sunflower state was 6.9 percent, up from 6.5 percent in June 2010 and down from 7.9 percent in July 2009. Kansas businesses lost 18,200 jobs over the month, a 1.4 percent decrease, but, KDL notes, job losses are common from June to July and include the reduction in school personnel during this time.

In Barton County, the jobless figure was 5.4 percent, up from 5.1 percent in June and down from 6.5 percent in July 2009. Out of a civilian labor force of 16,082 last month, 15,257 were employed.

Nationally, total non-farm employment fell by 131,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week. Federal government employment fell, as 143,000 temporary workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 71,000.

"Kansas continued to see steady but slow job growth in July. An increase in goods producing jobs, like construction, are very important," said KDL economist Tyler Tenbrink. "We are still seeing a decline in some service providing jobs, like information services and financial activities."

A bright spot this month within those declining industries was administrative and support services, which includes job placement services for temporary workers. "We are particularly interested in job gains in this area because employers tend to use these services before hiring permanent workers. This industry saw its first over-the-year job gain since June 2008, a positive indicator that we may continue to see growth in other industries in the coming months."

"Jobs are one of last indicators to show growth when coming out of an economic downturn, but this month’s jobs report is a sign that Kansas is moving forward," said Gov. Mark Parkinson. "With over-the-year job growth, and industries like construction that were hit hard by the recession steadily hiring once again, we should be encouraged for the future. While there are still too many Kansans looking for a job, these are positive signs that we are headed in the right direction."

The report also noted four of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-year job gains in July. The construction industry experienced over-the-year job gains for the fourth consecutive month. Other industries with over-the-year increases were government, trade, transportation and utilities and mining and logging.

Seven major industries reported statewide over-the-year losses. These losses were highest in professional and business services, financial activities and information services.

Six of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-month job gains in July. These gains were highest in the following areas:

• Professional and business services gained 1,900 jobs over the month, a 1.4 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in administrative and support services.

• Construction gained 1,700 jobs over the month, a 2.7 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in specialty trade contractors.

• Trade, transportation and utilities gained 1,700 jobs over the month, a 0.7 percent increase. Job gains were highest in wholesale trade.

There were 23,907 initial claims (regular, Extended Benefit (EB) and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)) for unemployment benefits in July, up from 15,551 initial claims in June 2010 and down from 33,440 in July 2009. There were 249,950 continued claims (regular, EB and EUC) in July, down from 263,123 in June 2010 and down from 281,618 in July 2009.

The August 2010 Kansas Labor Report will be released Sept. 21.