State Gains 10,200 Jobs in Dec.

A new report says Missouri’s unemployment rate was unchanged last month while the state had a net gain of 10,200 jobs.Tuesday’s figures from the Missouri Department of Economic Development show the state’s jobless rate stood at 6.7 percent in December, the same as November.Manufacturing led the December increase in nonfarm employment with a gain of 3,900 jobs. The construction sector added 2,700 jobs, while hospitality and leisure added about 2,600. However, professional business services jobs declined by 2,100.Missouri’s total civilian labor force numbered more than 3 million in December, with a gain of more than 3,300 from November. The labor force includes people with jobs and those who are unemployed but looking for work.