Iowa’s unemployment rate in September remained steady at 3.9 percent for the third month in a row, up from 3.6 percent in September 2006. Meanwhile, Iowa’s labor force rose to 1.67 million workers in September, which was 16,800 more workers than in August and 2,700 more than a year ago.

“Solid payroll growth, along with a record number of Iowans participating in the statewide labor force, eased worries about an economic slowdown,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development, in a press release. “The pace of job creation in September reflected a positive turnaround from the weak activity reported for the prior two months.”

Nonfarm employment in Iowa reached a new all-time high with about 1.53 million workers in September, 21,900 more than in a year earlier. Growth occurred in local government, leisure and hospitality, construction, financial activities, and education and health services.