Topeka ? The state unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent in March because of modest job growth during the previous year and seasonal hiring trends, the state Department of Human Resources reported Friday.

Kansas unemployment stood at 5.2 percent in February, and at 5.6 percent in March 2003. In Douglas County, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, down from 4.8 percent in February and 4.9 percent in March 2003.

The department said the number of Kansans who had nonfarm jobs increased to 1.31 million in March, up about 13,400 from February. The department noted employment typically increased in the spring because of hiring for seasonal jobs in construction and landscaping and at parks and other recreation sites.

The number of nonfarm jobs was about 3,100 higher last month than it was in March 2003, the agency reported, with growth in hiring by financial services, leisure and hospitality businesses. However, manufacturing employment remained short of where it was in March 2003.

“Overall, we have seen an increase in jobs over last year at this time,” Human Resources Secretary Jim Garner said. “While job numbers are inching upward, more substantial job growth is needed in the coming months to keep pace with the growth in the labor force.”

Last month, 1,386,705 Kansans had jobs and 73,140 were actively seeking work, the department said.

The March report showed the jobless rate declining from February’s levels in all four of the state’s major metropolitan statistical areas.

Unemployment fell to 5.1 percent from 5.7 percent in the Topeka area; to 6 percent from 6.1 percent in the Wichita area; and to 5.6 percent from February’s 5.9 percent in the Kansas portion of the Kansas City area.

Employment news across Kansas has been mixed in recent weeks, from layoffs in Hays to an expansion in Lenexa and possible revitalization in the aircraft industry.

Sykes Enterprises Inc. said it would close its Hays telemarketing call center, affecting 262 employees. Sykes also plans to close its Manhattan center.

Conversely, Lenexa pharmaceutical company PRA International Inc. announced plans for a $20 million expansion, adding 200 jobs to increase its employment to about 525.

In Wichita, Boeing Co. announced that it would build engine pylons for the company’s 7E7 Dreamliner, along with the aircraft’s forward fuselage and flight deck.

Boeing manufactures parts for all but one of its commercial jetliners in Wichita, employing about 7,100 people on commercial aircraft projects. The company saw significant layoffs, as did other Wichita aircraft manufacturers, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius plans to sign an economic development bill Monday aimed at increasing the biosciences sector in Kansas.