Despite economic trouble state is attracting new jobs.

Oklahoma City-AP) -- Economists and other financial watchers in the state say Oklahoma's high-profile layoffs are hiding the arrival of new jobs. <br><br>The Oklahoma Commerce Department says companies

Sunday, December 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma City-AP) -- Economists and other financial watchers in the state say Oklahoma's high-profile layoffs are hiding the arrival of new jobs.

The Oklahoma Commerce Department says companies have announced they will add more than 52-hundred jobs in the state over the next three years. Dan Rickman of Oklahoma State says many workers laid off from high-tech industries are starting their own businesses.

Last week's unemployment figures show Oklahoma has added 75-hundred job since last November. That's an increase of less than one percent.

Oklahoma's unemployment rate is also less than the nation's. Lynn Gray of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says the state has fewer people without jobs but Gray says Oklahoma's work force is also shrinking.