A faltering manufacturing sector led to Mercer County's jobless rate nudging upward to 6.5 percent in February from 6.4 percent in January.

February's rate was higher than the national 6.4 percent rate but below the state's 7 percent figure. A year ago the county's unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.

Mercer County ranked eighth out of the state's 43 metropolitan labor market areas in terms of the best jobless rate and was 16th out of the state's 67 counties.

The local labor force grew due to improved employment levels and local colleges reopening after the holiday hiatus. However, it wasn't enough to offset job losses in local factories and construction and trade, said the state Department of Labor and Industry.

Goods producing declined by 300 jobs in February with construction, mining and natural resources falling by 100 jobs and manufacturing off by 200 jobs. Compared to a year ago, there are 500 fewer manufacturing jobs in Mercer County.

However, service producers saw an increase of 800 jobs, with education and health services leading the way.

Figures for the county show that the civilian labor force rose to 59,100 in February from 58,500 in January, while those employed grew to 55,200 from 54,800 over the same period.

The number of unemployed held steady at 3,800.

Forest County had the highest jobless rate in the state at 20.9 percent, while Cumberland County had the lowest at 3.8 percent.

Surrounding counties' jobless rates were:

   » Lawrence, 9.3 percent.

   » Crawford, 9.3 percent.

   » Venango, 8.7 percent.

   » Butler, 7.3 percent.

Sharon's unemployment rate in February was 7 percent. A rate is kept for Sharon because it's Mercer County's largest city.