Statewide unemployment rate drops in March

The state's unemployment rate continued a downward trend in March, according to the latest data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate last month was 2.5%, according to a news release. That's down from 2.6% in February and 2.7% in January.

"Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than seven years," officials said in the release, pointing to the U.S. figure of 3.5% in March.

In March, Missouri's nonfarm payroll ranks rose by 2,300 jobs from a revised February figure.

Industries with job increases included leisure and hospitality, at 2,800 jobs, and professional and business services, at 2,500, according to the release. Offsetting industries included private education and health services, down 1,600 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities, down 1,400.