Addition of 11,500 Jobs in Sept. Cuts Jobless Rate

The state Labor Department has announced that employers in Connecticut added 11,500 jobs in September, cutting the unemployment rate to its lowest in nearly six years.

The monthly report released on Monday shows the unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent, from 6.6 percent in August. It's the lowest since November 2008.

Andy Condon, the Department of Labor's research director, said some gains were expected, particularly in public education and leisure and hospitality affected by seasonal shifts. Still, he said the numbers are "very encouraging."

The monthly employment release is the last before Election Day on Nov. 4.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who is in a tight re-election battle with Republican challenger Tom Foley, reacted immediately to the jobs report. He called it a sign of "steady progress."