DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in June, unchanged since April and 0.1 percent lower than one year ago. The state’s labor force participation rate decreased to 66.5 percent from 66.7 percent in May, primarily due to increases in retirements. Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.1 percent in June.

“Despite ongoing economic challenges, Iowa’s workforce held steady during June as private industries advanced by 1,500 jobs,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Iowa’s economy has shown great resilience and employers continue to hire. IowaWORKS.gov includes over 58,000 open jobs and our team is ready to help Iowans find their next new opportunity.”

The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 46,600 in June from 46,900 in May.

The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,641,400 in June. This figure is 3,200 lower than May and 21,400 lower than one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Iowa establishments gained 300 jobs in June, raising total nonfarm employment to 1,610,000 jobs. While the state experienced strong gains in February and March, payrolls have been relatively flat over the last three months. Private industry gains in June were most evident in health care and social assistance along with professional and business services. On the other hand, losses in manufacturing led to a small drop in goods-producing industries. Overall, private industries advanced by 1,500 jobs in June. This gain was contrasted by a drop of 1,200 in government, which was related to the expected employment changes from schools breaking for the summer.

Among private industries, June’s largest gain was within health care and social assistance (+1,800), which has advanced by 3,900 jobs over the past three months. Professional and business services also added in June (+1,100 jobs). Scientific and technical services fueled most of these gains (+700), although administrative support and waste management services also showed signs of hiring (+300). Other gains in June included retail trade (+600), construction (+400), and finance which added jobs following losses over the prior three months (+300). On the flip side, manufacturing shed 1,000 jobs in June to lead all sectors. Both chemical product and food industries were among those factories shedding jobs versus May. Leisure and hospitality reflected the only other decline (-800). Accommodations and food services fueled this loss.

Compared to last June, Iowa establishments have added 20,900 jobs. Health care and social assistance gained the most jobs during that span (+7,100). Leisure and hospitality industries also showed strong signs of hiring, adding 5,900 jobs over the last twelve months. Hiring in accommodations and food service businesses was responsible for all these jobs gained. Alternatively, losses were smaller by comparison and led by transportation and warehousing (-1,400). Retail continues to trend down and has lost 1,200 jobs over the last twelve months. Manufacturing shed 300 jobs with losses stemming from nondurable goods factories.

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

Federal officials have approved Governor Kim Reynolds’ request that Iowans in 14 counties who cannot live in their own homes due to flood or tornado damage may apply for temporary housing assistance.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to help these communities keep their citizens there and they want to be there,” Reynolds said this morning during an interview with Radio Iowa. “They want to stay. They don’t want to leave and so I think it’s just been a gallant effort from the locals and the state and then FEMA coming through with that was just a true, true blessing.”

FEMA’s Temporary Housing program is often used in hurricane zones, but Reynolds made the request late last week to extend it to Iowans in counties declared presidential disaster areas. “Thrilled beyond thrilled,” Reynolds said, “really, really grateful for the quick turnaround so we can get these people in some type of more transitional housing and then they can start making decisions about more permanent housing and what that looks like.”

Officials estimate over 2000 homes were destroyed by severe storms that swept through the state in April, May and June. Even more homes are uninhabitable due to serious damage. State agencies have already lined up the recreational vehicles and travel trailers that will be used as temporary housing. “The state will be purchasing the RVs. We’ll be delivering them. There won’t be any cost to the citizens that will be in them and then it’ll be a covered cost by FEMA,” Reynolds said. “We have contracted with a vendor to do some of the maintenance and some of the oversight.”

Modular homes may be brought in later if some residents need longer term housing until their permanent home is ready. To be eligible for the program, home owners and renters must have qualified for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. In some instances, the RV may be parked on the same property as a home that’s been damaged or destroyed.