In March, it ended. For the first time since July, total employment in the state fell.

During the month, 2,209 fewer people were employed than in February, according to data released Friday by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

The state had logged record employment growth since August.

Friday's data also suggested that some people had problems finding jobs. In March, the labor force shrank by 1,889 workers, indicating that some could not find satisfactory positions and, frustrated, dropped out of the worker pool.

The declines by themselves aren't alarming. Indeed, North Carolina's unemployment rate was unchanged in March at 4.5 percent, the lowest level in six years, and was only a tick above the national rate of 4.4 percent.

But economists will pay close attention in the coming months to see if a trend is forming.

The national economy is slowing. Fuel and other costs are rising. The housing market is struggling. Interest rates aren't falling as investors had hoped.

North Carolina, buoyed by population growth and success attracting new industries, has weathered the troubles better than other states. Some economists, though, have cautioned that ripples from difficulties in other places will come here.

The state's largest companies, such as Bank of America and Lowe's, have operations across the nation. If revenue growth slows elsewhere, they could slow hiring at their headquarters.

In March, the biggest increase in private-sector jobs was recorded in professional and business services, which includes lawyers, accountants and consultants. Education, health care and hospitality were among the other segments that had gains. Manufacturing had the biggest decline.

The state on Friday will release Triangle and other local jobs data for March.

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