Staff Writer

On Friday, October 7, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report with preliminary September unemployment and job numbers. The report showed that national unemployment edged down to 3.5 percent which is 0.2 percent less than in August. 

Adding to this, total nonfarm employment rose by 263,000 in September with the biggest increases coming from the hospitality and healthcare sectors. 

The report also noted that Hurricane Ian had “no discernible effect” on these economic numbers for the month of September. Data coming out later this month and next month may show a greater picture of the natural disaster’s effect on the national economy. 

State specific unemployment and employment data will be released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics next Friday, October 21.