Slowing job growth seen in Conn. this year and ’15

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ State economists say job growth will slow in Connecticut this year and in 2015.

The state departments of Labor and Economic and Community Development said in a monthly report Monday that a months-long housing slowdown will continue. Economists blame rising interest rates and other factors.

State economists say Connecticut added 19,000 jobs between the end of 2009 and late 2011 and it accelerated to nearly 31,000 between late 2011 and the end of 2013. The forecast says job growth will slow to fewer than 20,000 between the end of last year and late 2015.

Education, health care and social assistance are expected to add nearly 8,800 new jobs, or 45 percent of employment growth.

The unemployment rate in Connecticut was 6.9 percent in April and 6.3 percent nationally.