Latest jobs report shows solid growth

The MidHudson and Catskills experienced strong job growth during the 12-month period ending June 30, new state statistics show.

Ulster County added 800 nonfarm jobs, a gain of 1.3 percent, during the period, while the Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division, which comprises all of both counties, picked up 2,000 nonfarm jobs, a 1.4 percent jump, according to data provided Thursday by the state Department of Labor.

Nonfarm jobs include all positions in the private and public sectors, with the exception of those in agriculture.

The nonfarm job totals in Ulster County and the Dutchess-Putnam region at the end of June were 63,600 and 148,200, respectively, the labor department said.

Greene County gained 600 nonfarm jobs, an impressive 3.9 percent, in the June-toJune period, to reach a total of 15,900, the department said. Columbia County gained 200 nonfarm jobs, or 0.9 percent, to reach a total of 22,500.

Elsewhere in the region from June 2016 to June 2017, the state labor office said:

• Sullivan County gained 700 nonfarm jobs, or 2.6 percent,

to reach 27,900.

• The Orange-RocklandWestchester Metropolitan Division added 11,800 nonfarm jobs, or 1.6 percent, to finish the period at 729,800.

• Delaware County’s nonfarm job total was unchanged at 15,500.

In the private sector June 2016 to June 2017, the department said:

• Ulster County added 700 jobs, or 1.4 percent.

• The Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division gained

1,900 jobs, or 1.6 percent.

• The Orange-RocklandWestchester Metropolitan Division added 10,800 jobs, or 1.8 percent.

The state does not provide private-sector employment data for individual rural counties.

The statewide unemployment rate in June 2017 was 4.5 percent, up a tick from 4.4 percent the month before but down from 4.9 percent in June 2016, the Department of Labor said.