Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pa., is among the first two casinos to receive preliminary state approval for table games, a move that would create casino jobs in Pennsylvania.

Parx, which is operated by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc., was granted approval, along with Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Luzerne County, Pa., the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said.

According to PhiladelphiaBizJournals.com, both casinos expect to offer live table games by midyear. They would create 1,000 full-time jobs, including 385 at Parx.

Each is required to pay a state-mandated fee of $16.5 million by June 1.

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Forbes has said in a recent article that Washington, D.C. is emerging from the recession better than any city in the U.S., citing evidence that jobs in Washington are growing quickly.

Washington, D.C. has been in the news for many reasons lately, after it was pummeled by two snow storms and as the location for the sparring match between Republicans and Democrats over healthcare. But there are other reasons the city has been spotlighted.

The city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, at 6.2%, and its output amounts to $362.3 billion, more than three times the average for the country’s largest cities.

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One year ago, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law, creating thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania.

According to an article on PRNewswire, in Pennsylvania, the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is clear. It has preserved 84,000 Pennsylvania jobs, according to a report from the President’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Extended unemployment and food stamp benefits have kept Pennsylvanians who lost their jobs from losing everything. Those benefits, coupled with the Making Work Pay tax cut, put money back into Pennsylvania communities and businesses when they needed it most. A study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that 189,000 Pennsylvanians were kept out of poverty last year as a result of these types of benefits in the Recovery Act.

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Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell proposes spending to recruit new Virginia Jobs in many sectors, including manufacturing, finance, and government.

According to his office, here are some of his plans:

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Two companies will soon help to create more Pennsylvania jobs (Click here).

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania Inc. will become North America’s largest processor of dark air-cured tobacco and Alpha Mills Corp. will create almost two dozen new jobs thanks to $2.7 million in new state investments.

“Even in a tough economy, we are helping businesses grow and become better able to compete in the global economy,” Gov. Edward G. Rendell said. “It’s vitally important that we continue our work to keep businesses in Pennsylvania and to bring new companies within our borders. If we lose the ability to do this, these crucial projects will go elsewhere.”

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Even though the state’s unemployment rate slightly increased, those looking for a job in Maryland last month may have had better luck, as more jobs were added.

During July, the state saw its unemployment rate increase from 7.2 percent to 7.3 percent, which is lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.4 percent. Maryland hasn’t seen its unemployment rate decrease since April, when it went from 6.9 percent to 6.8 percent.

Maryland had a total non-farm employment of 2,551,700 workers during July, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 2,541,700 workers during June, but a 1.9 percent decrease from last year.

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While many places throughout the country continue to lose workers and see their unemployment rate consistently increase, more Washington DC jobs were added last month.

During July, the District of Columbia saw its unemployment rate decrease from 10.9 percent to 10.6 percent. This is the first time the city’s unemployment rate has declined since March, but the lowered rate is still higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.4 percent.

D.C. had a total non-farm employment of 716,200 workers during July, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 703,000 jobs during June and a .9 percent increase from last year.

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One company is helping to create many new Virginia job openings.

American Foods Group recently sold its meat snack division to Tennessee-based Monogram Food Solutions, and that company plans to invest $3 million to expand production at its plant near the City of Martinsville in Henry County. That facility currently has about 130 workers, but that number will increase to 250 by October.

As part of the sale, Monogram Food Solutions took over four American Foods brands that produce sausages, salami, pickled pig’s feet and other meat snacks. According to an article by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, other details of the sale were not released to the public.

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State and federal officials have formulated a plan to help save thousands of PA retail jobs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently approved a plan that Gov. Edward G. Rendell initiated in November 2008. The plan will provide a $43.7 million loan to help save 24 Boscov’s department stores and retain the company’s 5,000 employees throughout Pennsylvania.

“This is great news for Pennsylvania, its people, communities and one of our most respected businesses,” Rendell said. “Boscov’s has been a cornerstone of many communities in Pennsylvania since 1918. Today, with 24 locations throughout the state and more than 5,000 employees, they remain a significant part our economy.

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Older workers looking for Maryland job openings, as well as openings in some other states, will soon get some help.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently gave $10 million to organizations that connect older workers with jobs. The money is meant to retrain workers who are 55 and older for jobs in high-growth industries, such as healthcare or green-collar jobs.

The funds were broken up into 10 grants worth about $1 million each and given to organizations in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. On top of that, the Atlantic Philanthropies will invest another $3.6 million toward the effort.

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