More Kyle residents than ever before went to work in January.
Local employment swelled to a record 12,790 jobs — a gain of 45 since December and 322 more than January 2011, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Feeling optimistic about the local economy, a record number of Kyle residents also entered the workforce or resumed job searches they had previously abandoned. The labor force in the city swelled to 13,511 people, nearly 2.3 percent more than the same period a year ago.
Of those 13,511 people, about 720 were unable to find work as the city’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January, compared to 4.8 percent in December and 5.6 percent in January 2011.
The statewide jobs outlook also improved in January.
Texas added 67,200 nonfarm jobs in January for a total of 258,200 jobs added over the year. Private employers added 73,800 jobs over the month, totaling 332,600 private sector jobs added over the year. Texas has experienced positive annual job growth in nonfarm jobs for the last 21 consecutive months.
“We’re seeing substantial economic growth here in Texas,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken said in a news release.
Nine of the 11 major industries in Texas added jobs in January, led by the professional and business services sector, which added 18,100 jobs over the month.