Job losses decrease in Southern Utah

After months of rapidly increasing job losses, economists conveyed cautious optimism when they said Southern Utah’s employment situation appears to have reached its lowest point.

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In January, Washington County witnessed an employment contraction of 4.2 percent from the same period last year, according to a Department of Workforce Services employment situation report released Monday, but economists said the number indicates less severe losses. Regional Economist Lecia Langston said the estimated 4.2 employment contraction in January is an encouraging sign, as hard data from the third quarter of 2008 indicated more substantial losses of approximately 6 percent...more

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