The Bronx’s unemployment rate has fallen to one of its lowest numbers ever, according to newly released statistics from the New York State Department of Labor.
The unemployment rate in The Bronx dropped to 6.1 percent in May 2016, down from 6.6 percent in April 2016 and 7.8 percent in May 2015. This is the lowest unemployment rate the borough has seen since Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. first took office in May 2009, topping last month’s previous all-time low.
The total number of Bronxites employed also remains high, 567,500, with nearly 100,000 more Bronx residents employed today than when Borough President Diaz took office seven years ago. In addition, just 37,000 Bronx residents are currently unemployed, the lowest number of Borough President Diaz’s tenure.
“We are always looking to continue to build on the results that have helped decrease unemployment in our borough to record lows,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We will refuse to stay complacent as we seek to lower the unemployment rate even further, create new jobs, strengthen our existing businesses and grow our local economy. I want to thank all of our elected officials, community boards, business community, non-profits, neighborhood leaders and our more than 1.4 million residents. Everyone can be proud of these efforts.”
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.