Conn. jobless rate falls to 8.2 percent

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (AP) - The state Department of Labor says Connecticut's unemployment rate dipped to 8.2 percent in December, the lowest figure since May 2009.

The agency released the December job figures Monday. The state's unemployment rate was below the national rate of 8.5 percent.

The number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased by 600 in December, bringing total nonfarm employment to 1.6 million jobs. The largest job growth came in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which added 2,500 jobs. The retail sector had the largest percentage growth, 1.1 percent, as it added 1,900 jobs during the holiday season. The manufacturing sector lost 1,500 jobs.

State officials say Connecticut has recovered about 29 percent of the 119,200 jobs that were lost during the recession that ran from March 2008 to January 2010.