NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee's unemployment rate in May increased to 9.7 percent, up 0.1 percent from the April rate.

Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Karla Davis said in a news release on Thursday that the slight increase is a result of "significant growth in the labor force" because of optimism in the improving economy.

Says Davis: "Workers are entering the labor force faster than the economy is creating jobs."

According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment increases came in leisure and hospitality, up 5,700 jobs; manufacturing, up 2,000; and mining, logging, and construction, up 1,900 jobs.

Declines occurred in private educational and health services, down 3,100 jobs; government, down 2,000; and professional, scientific and technical services, down 2,000.

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