Instead, Knold wrote, "it is a reflection of comparing against a strengthening year-ago performance."

The trade, transportation and utilities sector reported 6,800 new jobs during the year-over period, while the manufacturing sector added 1,900 jobs.

Looking ahead, Knold said he sees only one hurdle in the near future: natural gas prices.

"We'll get some high heating bills," he said. "But fortunately, we've got some heavy counterbalances, with gas(oline) prices coming down.

"The only hurdle I see is natural gas prices. You won't really feel them until you get your January bill. The December bill won't be fun, but the real shock won't come until January. But we'll have gotten through the Christmas shopping season by then."

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com