The Bronx’s unemployment rate has fallen once again, according to newly released statistics from the New York State Department of Labor.
The unemployment rate in The Bronx fell to 6.6 percent in April 2016, down from 7.9 percent in March 2016 and 7.8 percent in in April 2015. This is the lowest unemployment rate the borough has seen since Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. first took office in May 2009.
The total number of Bronxites employed also remains considerably high, 569,700, meaning that over 100,000 more Bronx residents have jobs today than when Borough President Diaz took office seven years ago.
“What we are doing is working,” said Borough President Diaz. “We have seen considerable growth in our borough during the past seven years, and that investment is having a positive effect on the people who call The Bronx their home. More people are employed than ever before and our unemployment rate has been cut significantly, thanks to the hard work of our elected officials, community boards, business community, non-profits, neighborhood leaders and our 1.4 million residents. Everyone can share in this success.”
The Department of Labor’s statistics can be found at http://labor.ny.gov/stats/pressreleases/prlaus.shtm.
Since Borough President Diaz took office in 2009, The Bronx has seen more than $9.4 billion in total development, which has led to the creation of thousands of new jobs. In addition, a partnership announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in August 2014 between the New York State Department of Labor and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, as part of the “NY Works,” program is placing Bronx residents in these jobs, helping to ensure that new development here benefits everyone, especially Bronxites.