By JEANNINE AVERSA and CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER
AP Economic Writers
WASHINGTON – The nation added jobs at the fastest pace in three years last month as factories, stores, hospitals and the census all brought workers on board – the surest sign yet that the worst employment market in a generation has finally snapped back.
The unemployment rate stayed at 9.7 percent for the third month in a row, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists actually consider that a hopeful sign because it means more people are encouraged and starting to look for work.
“This recovery is for real,” said Chris Rupkey, economist at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.