Indiana joblessness down slightly

Joblessness in Indiana declined slightly last month.

Unemployment was down to 5.9 percent in February, according to an Indiana Department of Workplace Development report released Friday. The rate had inched up to 6 percent in January.

The state added 1,700 new private sector jobs, led by education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.

“Indiana’s consistent private sector growth, particularly over the past two years, is an encouraging trend,” said Steven J. Braun, commissioner of Workforce Development. “Equally as important is the fact that during that time, our labor force has also grown by 82,000 individuals, which is one of the largest increases in the nation.”

Call Star reporter Leisa Richardson at (317) 444-6378. Follow her on Twitter: @leisarichardson.