Working his magic.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Days after President Barack Obama stumped in North Carolina for his jobs proposals, officials reported Friday that the state’s unemployment rate edged up in September.

The state Employment Security Commission reported that the jobless rate was 10.5 percent, up from 10.4 percent in August. The rate is the highest in a year and a half and remains far above the national average of 9.1 percent.

The number of unemployed people statewide increased by 4,498 in September, to 473,937, while the number of people with jobs increased by 1,324, to 4,032,376, according to the ESC.

The construction industry showed the greatest gains in September, adding 2,800 jobs, while the public sector lost 13,700 jobs and the financial industry dropped 3,000, the ESC reports.

In the past year, private-sector jobs in North Carolina have increased by 28,400, while state and local governments have shed 18,700 jobs.

HT: Drudge