Iowa unemployment rate up slightly in March

DES MOINES — Iowa’s unemployment rate was up slightly from February to March while Iowa’s labor force participation rate held steady.

The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% for March, up slightly from 3.3% in February. The participation rate held steady at 67% in March as 1700 Iowans entered the labor force.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,664,000 in March, up 400 from February and 2400 higher than a year ago. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased to 58,600 in March from 57,300 in February.

Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says March’s report shows increased hiring in key industries such as construction, transportation and healthcare while other areas with more temporary workers pulled back. She says there remains over 50,000 open jobs in the state.