The unemployment situation seems to be improving, according to New York State Labor Department data.
There was 6.5 percent unemployment recorded in February according to the New York State Department of Labor, which is down 0.2 percent from 6.7 percent in January and down 0.5 percent from 7.0 percent a year ago.
That compares with a statewide unemployment rate of 8.7 percent, down from 8.9 percent last month and 9.5 percent a year ago. The New York City unemployment rate stood at 9.2 percent, down from 9.4 percent in January and 10.2 percent a year ago.
The unemployment rate for the United States was 9.5 percent, down from 9.8 percent in January and 10.4 percent a year ago in February.
Nassau and Suffolk counties continued to be in better shape than the rest of the state. Nassau County's unemployment rate stood at 7.2 percent. Suffolk's unemployment rate was recorded as 8.2 percent. Both figures are significantly down from last month and last year.
Part of the reason, according to labor department officials, may be found in recent business expansions in the immediate area.
Among those expansions, according to the state are:
- Comtech Telecommunications Corp., based in Melville is a wireless communications equipment manufacturer. It just received a new order from the U.S. Army worth $27.5 million for vehicle tracing and a communications system.
- In Uniondale, Frequency Electronics Inc. won a contract extension with the federal government worth about $12 million for a “high capacity secure communications satellite program” Typically, the company employs large numbers of electrical workers, assemblers, inspectors and others.
- In Syosset, Lifetime Fitness is a recently opened club including a full spa, salon, indoor and outdoor pools, personal trainers and nutrition coaches.
In fact, Long Island is gaining jobs at the fastest rate in the state, leading the charge of the recovery, said Michael Crowell, senior economist with the 's regional office in Hicksville.
Long Island has added 12,100 jobs, or a 1.2 percent gain, since the recession began The job gains appear to be in education, health services, and the hospitality industry.
The private sector is adding jobs statewide while government jobs are disappearing, accounting for the flat state-wide growth rate, Crowell said.
Town of North Hempstead Employment Figures:
Month Labor Force Employed Unemployed Percent February, 2011 111,300 104,000 7,300 6.5 January, 2011 112,000 104,400 7,500 6.7 February, 2010 111,600 103,800 7,800 7.0