GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay metro area added thousands of private sector jobs in June but the unemployment rate spiked up. According to preliminary jobs survey data of less than four percent of employers in Brown, Kewaunee, Oconto Counties, the area added an estimated 2,500 private sector jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the public sector had a net loss of 200 jobs. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says a household survey shows the jobless rate moving from 6.4% in May to 7% in June. Last year’s unemployment rate in June was 7.6%. Manufacturing picked up the pace significantly with 900 jobs added, while summer construction continued to add jobs with an estimated 400 positions. Tourism related leisure and hospitality sector added 500 jobs. Professional and business services, which are typically temp jobs, added 400 jobs. Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector added 400 jobs. Summer months typically see jobs being added, but the labor force swells as people look for seasonal work, particularly high school and college students. July's jobless rate will likley dip, when they stop looking for work.


Comments