Virginia’s unemployment rate at 3.7 percent under McAuliffe’s administration

Virginia has had a low unemployment rate for over eight years.

RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Friday that Virginia’s unemployment rate had reached a nearly nine-year low of 3.7 percent. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate is the 2nd lowest among major states and our labor force expanded to a record high 4,340,369.

“The drop in unemployment is further proof that Governor McAuliffe’s efforts to build an open and welcoming economy that works for everyone are paying off,” said DPVA spokeswoman Katie Baker.

“Since Governor McAuliffe took office, Virginia’s unemployment rate has dropped from 5.4% to 3.7%, and our economy has seen more than 215,000 new jobs. The governor’s administration has also secured 1,032 economic development deals that have created a record $18.52 billion in capital investment.

“These results speak for themselves, and that’s why it’s so important that we elect Ralph Northam, Justin Fairfax, Mark Herring, and Democrats to the House of Delegates to send the message to the nation that Virginia is an inclusive place that is open for business.”

The McAuliffe administration has been aggressive with economic development, with McAuliffe using his business and political contacts to close deals for the commonwealth.  He helped close a deal to bring Stone Brewing to Richmond and landed a $2 billion paper plant in the Richmond suburbs. McAuliffe also worked to broker a deal with the Corporate Executive Board to locate its global headquarters in Arlington, which created 800 new jobs.

Governor McAuliffe was at Dulles International Airport in July, 2017 for festivities to announce Air India’s inaugural nonstop flight to New Delhi from the northern Virginia facility.

McAuliffe also negotiated deals to restore service in Norfolk from Carnival Cruise Lines and Air India service to Dulles International Airport.

Additionally, in February 2016, McAuliffe announced that Virginia was the first state to functionally end veteran homelessness.