North Haven Unemployment Rate Rises, Erases Gains

Recovery from the recession that saw more than 100,000 jobs disappear from Connecticut continues to be slow – both locally and throughout the state.

In the May unemployment numbers tracked by the Connecticut Department of Labor, North Haven's unemployment rate rose from 6.8 percent to 7.2 percent. The number of unemployed people was recorded at 966, the highest since Feb. 2012.

In Connecticut, the unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percent to 7.8 percent. Approximately 1,400 jobs were added in May. According to state figures, Connecticut recovered 34,900, or 29.7 percent, of the 117,500 total nonfarm jobs lost in the recession lasting March 2008 - February 2010.

“Given the fact that more people are trying to enter the work force because they’re more optimistic they can actually find a job, the change in the unemployment rate is not a surprise,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement.  “As I’ve said all along, changing an economy that failed to grow jobs in a meaningful way for a generation won’t happen overnight. But I am committed to seeing this through.”