BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Kern County saw almost 10,000 jobs added to the local economy in January this year compared to the same time in 2018.

That, according to the latest report from the state's Employment Development Department.

The bad news: Unemployment in Kern County is on the rise for the second-straight month since bottoming out at around 6.5% from September through November.

In January, the unemployment rate hit 9.1%, up from 7.5% in December.

This, as the nation added just 20,000 jobs in February.

The EDD shows most jobs added from last January to this year were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (1,800) and Educational and Health Services (1,800).

Prior to December, Kern County was enjoying a long stretch with the unemployment rate below 9%. The rate spiked to 10% in March of last year before dropping steadily by November.