Vermont’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.4 percent in December, up from 3.1 percent a month earlier.
The commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training says seasonal hiring was stronger than usual in December. Leisure and hospitality reported the largest increase as resorts hired workers for the holiday period. Retail employment also expanded significantly during December. Manufacturing employment fell slightly for the third consecutive month.
Unemployment rates for Vermont’s 13 labor market areas ranged from 1.9 percent in Hartford, to 6.2 percent in Newport.