Unemployment rate in Kansas, Douglas County improves in October

? The Kansas unemployment rate decreased in October to 6.4 percent, down from 6.7 percent in September, the state reported.

And Kansas businesses have gained 6,000 jobs over the year, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.

“With more private sector growth and lower unemployment than the national rate, October was yet another encouraging month for Kansas’ economic recovery,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson.

The national unemployment rate stands at 9.6 percent.

“As Kansans prepare to sit down together this Thanksgiving, our state has much to be thankful for as our economy is proving to be stronger than much of the country. But more work lies ahead, and my administration remains focused on getting more Kansans back to work,” said Parkinson, who leaves office in January.

Tyler Tenbrink, a labor economist, said the private sector, especially the service sector, was showing positive growth. “As the improving economic climate brings discouraged workers back to the labor force, increasing the number of jobs will be key,” he said.

There were 23,231 initial claims for unemployment benefits in October, down from 23,583 initial claims in September and down from 33,263 in October 2009. There were 219,323 continued claims in October, up from 194,587 in September and down from 275,484 in October 2009.

The unemployment rate for Douglas County stood at 5.5 percent, down from 5.9 percent in September.