(RALEIGH) -- North Carolina’s unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent in April.  That is according to the latest figures from the State Employment Security Commission.

Although the jobless was unchanged the state did gain 2,900 nonfarm jobs.  This represents straight months of job growth.

“We continue to be encouraged by the job growth we have seen over the last few months,” said ESC Chairman Lynn R. Holmes. “Employers have been adding jobs since the beginning of the year."

Total nonfarm employment grew to 3,892,900 in April.   The largest gains came in trade, transportation and utilities.  The largest decrease was in government where 2,300 jobs were lost.