Statement From Gov. Nikki Haley On April 2014 Unemployment Rate

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley today issued the following statement in response to South Carolina’s unemployment rate decreasing to 5.3 percent in April from 5.5 percent in March. This is the lowest level the rate has reached since June 2001.

April marks the eleventh consecutive month the unemployment rate has decreased in South Carolina and the third consecutive month that the rate has been a full point below the national rate – something that hadn’t previously occurred in 16 years. Since January 2011, the unemployment rate has dropped 5.2 percentage points. Additionally, 2,050,776 South Carolinians were employed in April – the highest level in the state’s history.

“Getting our unemployment rate to a nearly 13 year low is something that every citizen of our state should be proud of and another strong sign that Team South Carolina’s approach to economic development is delivering real results,” said Gov. Haley. “This kind of progress says a lot about our state, our workforce, and all the businesses that call South Carolina home that continue to grow and find success here.”