Spokane County’s jobless rate increased to 11.4% in July

Spokane County’s unemployment rate increased to 11.4% in July, according to nonseasonally adjusted data from the Washington State Employment Security Department.

The county shed 300 nonfarm jobs and added 4,300 private sector jobs in July, compared with June, according to the department.

The service providing sector added 2,300 jobs in July, including 600 retail trade positions. The education and health services sector gained 1,700 jobs.

The leisure and hospitality sector gained 600 jobs. The government sector  lost 1,600 jobs in July.

The county’s unemployment rate was 9.7% in June and 5% in July 2019.