Kentucky's unemployment rate stayed at 10.4 percent in February.
The state saw a drop of 1,800 jobs in the month, reversing growth in January. The February jobless rate is down, though, from 10.9 percent a year ago. Since February 2009, the rate has been below 10 percent just once, in July 2010.
Justine Detzel, chief labor market analyst for the state Office of Employment and Training, said the economy's manufacturing sector showed signs of strength in February because "factories are ramping up production as businesses restock inventories and companies undertake capital investments."
"However, the state economy is weighed down by weakness in the trade, transportation, and utilities, and professional and business services industries," she said in a statement.
The state's unemployment rate in February continued to outpace the national rate of 8.9 percent, which declined from 9 percent in January.
For the month, Kentucky's job losses came in six of the 11 major industries.
Leading the losses was the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which shed 4,000 jobs. Detzel pointed to layoffs at a pharmaceutical wholesaler as a factor in the decline. The state does not identify individual businesses in releasing unemployment data.
The professional and business services sector saw jobs decline by 1,100, as temporary jobs at call centers ended, Detzel said.
Other sectors reporting employment decreases were financial activities (600), educational and health services (200), information (100), and mining and logging (100).
The largest employment increase was in the manufacturing sector, which expanded by 2,000 jobs. The growth came from the opening and expansion of automotive parts factories, as well as the opening of various plants ranging from aluminum works to steel cabinet manufacturers.
The construction industry saw jobs grow by 1,100, while the leisure and hospitality sector added 600 positions in the month.
The other services sector, which includes repair companies and religious organizations, saw employment rise by 400 jobs, while the government sector added 200 employees.
