Acadiana Job Growth - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased from 7.8% to 7.9%.  But locally, the numbers paint a much different picture.

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Lafayette Parish had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 4% and has had the lowest rate for eight of the past nine months.

But the good news doesn't stop there. According to Lafayette Economic Development Authority CEO & President Gregg Gothreaux, Lafayette and Saint Martin Parishes combined job growth finished first in the nation for employment rates from 2011-2012.

Gothreaux said the area saw an 8.7% increase or 13,300 new jobs added in just one year. Gothreaux says the medical, oil and gas industries are main driving forces behind our growing economy.

Rob Mallia