By Kate Bramson
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island gained jobs in both September and October to reach its highest number of jobs since December 2008, at 469,600 jobs in October, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
However, that's still 26,800 fewer jobs than Rhode Island recorded at its peak period of employment - 496,400 jobs in December 2006, before the Great Recession pummeled the state's economy. Rhode Island lost a total 39,400 jobs in the recession, down to a low point of 457,000 in November 2009.
The job gains were 800 in September and 1,100 in October, according to the jobs report released Thursday by the DLT.