Inside INdiana Business is reporting that Indiana’s unemployment rate rose slightly in July to 3.4 percent. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state’s labor force grew by more than 15,500 last month and the labor force participation rate saw a minor tick up to 64.8 percent, according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Private sector employment also grew by more than 24,800, due mainly to gains in the professional & business services and construction sectors. Indiana’s unemployment rate remains below the national average, which dipped to 3.9 percent in July.
Indiana continues to have the lowest unemployment rate of the surrounding states, all of which are above 4 percent. Only Minnesota and Wisconsin have lower unemployment in the Midwest at 3 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.