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The local unemployment rate declined "largely because of the change in employment," said Bill Brockmiller, the department's regional labor market analyst in La Crosse. "We put more people to work" in July.
The 3.4 percent unemployment rate in July also was down from 4.2 percent in July 2003.
The number of retail jobs in the area rose from about 9,100 in June to 9,200 in July, and was up from 8,600 in July 2003, Brockmiller said.
The other employment increase he pointed to was in professional and business services. Employment in that category increased from about 6,700 in June to 6,800 in July, and was up from 6,100 in July 2003.
Brockmiller said he suspects that gain was led by increases in the number of people working for temporary employment agencies. "Everyone certainly hopes that the economy is coming around," he said. "A leading indicator of economic activity is often increases in temporary employment."
After a downturn in the economy, Brockmiller said, employers often add temporary employees. "If the recovery sustains itself, then they bring those people on permanently," he said. But if the economy "double dips, so to speak, they can let go of those people without a permanent commitment to them."
The unemployment rates in all but one of Wisconsin's metropolitan areas dropped or stayed the same in July compared with the previous month.
The lone exception was Sheboygan, which saw its unemployment rate increase from 4 percent to 4.2 percent.
Steve Cahalan can be reached at (608) 791-8229 or scahalan@lacrossetribune.com. The Associated Press
contributed to this story.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in Wisconsin metropolitan areas in July, compared with June:
Appleton-Oshkosh — 4.1 percent in July; down from 4.2 percent in June.
Eau Claire — 4.4 percent; down from 4.7 percent.
Green Bay — 4.2 percent; same as June.
Janesville-Beloit — 6 percent; down from 6.3 percent.
Kenosha — 4.7 percent; down from 5.4 percent.
La Crosse — 3.4 percent; down from 3.8 percent.
Madison — 2.5 percent; down from 2.6 percent.
Milwaukee-Waukesha — 5 percent; down from 5.1 percent.
Racine — 6.6 percent; down from 6.8 percent.
Sheboygan — 4.2 percent; up from 4 percent.
Wausau — 3.9 percent; down from 4.1 percent.
Wisconsin — 4.7 percent; down from 5 percent.
Source: Department of Workforce Development
