SD unemployment rate among the lowest in the nation - KOTA Territory News

SD unemployment rate among the lowest in the nation

As fears over the economy and unemployment persist across the nation, South Dakota remains bright spot on a bleak landscape.

Unemployment in the state and the immediate surrounding states remains at roughly five percent.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national rate is closer to eight percent.

Locally, economists say job growth is healthy, especially jobs tied to tourism, energy and government services.

According to Ben Snow, President of the Rapid City Economic Development Group, South Dakota tourism related employed drops the unemployment rate by close to one percentage point during the summer months.