By Associated Press
Nashville, TN – State officials say Tennessee's unemployment rate in March was 9 and a half percent, unchanged from February. Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Karla Davis says over 17,000 more persons employed in March than February. She says the civilian labor force grew a half of a percent during the month. Increases occurred in leisure/hospitality and trade, transportation and utilities. Health care/social assistance and durable goods manufacturing both increased as well. Losses occurred in private educational services, finance/insurance, information, non-store retailers and health/personal care stores.