In good news for Woodlands area businesses, Texas added 20,000 jobs last month in several of our key local industries

THE WOODLANDS, TX – February saw some record highs for both jobs and the civilian labor force in Texas, with 20,100 non-farm jobs bringing the state total to 14.25 million. Statewide, 182,300 non-farm jobs were added in the preceding twelve months, slightly outpacing the national growth rate, according to the latest data from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Overall, the Lone Star State has enjoyed 56 out of 58 months of growth for its civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,770,300; over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 334,800 people, leaving us with a statewide unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, in line with the national rate.

As good as this news is for the state in general, The Woodlands area has a particular reason to celebrate harder than some other areas. Especially positive trends have dominated the industries the Township is famous for.

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest over-the-month increase in February after adding 7,400 jobs. In addition, Leisure and Hospitality added 6,000 jobs over the month, and Construction added 5,200. The Financial Activities industry grew by 2.6 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 1.7 percentage points.

This is especially good news for the growing hospitality, construction, and utility industries in the Township. Compared to statewide, according to data from The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership, Montgomery County has a civilian labor force of 242,436, of which 227,685 are employed, leaving a countywide unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. But for The Woodlands proper, 92,850 members of the total civilian labor force of 96,921 are employed, for an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, much more in line with the state and national rates. The Greater Houston Area itself deals with an unemployment rate of 7.0 percent.

“Texas led all states with more than 182,000 jobs added over the year because Texas employers continue to generate new opportunities,” said Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “More Texans are working than at any point in the state’s history, and TWC can support employers by providing resources and an upskilled workforce to power their momentum.”