MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting the state Labor Department Sept. 19, released its jobs report for the 12-month period ending in August. The department reported a 17.1 percent increase in new jobs in Sullivan County, the highest increase reported statewide. The Ithaca Metro Area came in second with 4.4 percent increase. Columbia County reported a new job growth rate of 2.8 percent, followed by Ulster County at 2.6 percent, Greene County with 1.9 percent growth, and the Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division with a 1.6 percent increase. The number of private sector jobs in the region grew by just under 12,000, to 824,000. Gains were largest in educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; and natural resources, mining and construction. Jobs were lost in trade, transportation and utilities and professional and business services. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.