INDIANAPOLIS (May 22, 2009) - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released Indiana's April employment report.

Indiana's preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in April was 9.9 percent, a 0.1 decrease from March. Indiana was the only state among its neighbors to record a decrease in month-to-month unemployment. Kentucky reported no change at 9.8 percent. Michigan rose 0.3 percent to 12.9 percent. Illinois increased 0.4 percent to 9.4 percent. Ohio posted a 0.5 percent increase to 10.2 percent.

This 0.1 percent decrease is not considered statistically significant. The state added 12,600 jobs in April (non-seasonally adjusted). The greatest areas of gain included typical summer hiring in "Leisure and Hospitality" (+8,200) as well as "Construction" (+5,900). Manufacturing shed 5,400 positions in April.

"Flat unemployment is a positive in this economy, however this number does not fully tell the story," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "Indiana's April unemployment rate does not reflect recently announced layoffs in the automobile industry and major steel operations due to the timing of our survey. I expect we will see the effect of the automotive decline on Indiana's unemployment rate to a greater extent in the next few months."

EDITORS NOTE: The May 2009 employment report will be released on June 19.

Links to the data used to compile the monthly employment report are listed below:

April 2009 Indiana Employment Report