May,16 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's jobless rate is going up
and officials predict rising gas prices could mean a rocky summer
employment picture.

The unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in April, up two-tenths of
a percent from the month before.

The construction sector continued a six-month slide, losing
2,400 jobs last month. The commission said jobs in that industry
are down 7,300 from a year ago.

Beaufort, Charleston and Lexington counties all rated the
state's lowest jobless rate, at 3.9 percent. Allendale County's
rate remained the highest, at 13.5 percent.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)