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Only two states netted fourth-quarter gains

August 19, 2009
Staffing Industry Analysts North American Daily News

Only two states gained more private-sector jobs than they lost in the fourth quarter of 2008 -- Louisiana and North Dakota, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And only two industries gained more jobs than they lost in the fourth quarter -- utilities and education and health services.

Louisiana gained 119,844 jobs and lost 105,818 in the fourth quarter. North Dakota gained 19,509 jobs and lost 19,267.

Education and health services gained 841,000 jobs in the fourth quarter and lost 665,000. The utilities industry gained 13,000 jobs and lost 12,000.

Overall, the U.S. gained 6.7 million jobs from opening and expanding private-sector establishments in the fourth quarter but lost 8.5 million from closing and contracting establishments.