The number of non-farm jobs in Virginia rose in June from the year before for the first time in 22 months, according to data released yesterday by the Virginia Employment Commission. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in Virginia last month by 22,600 jobs compared with May and 1,500 jobs compared with June 2009.

Unemployment rates in the District, Maryland and Virginia had their third consecutive simultaneous declines in June, according to government data released Tuesday. But while the previous decreases illustrated rapid job gains, experts say, the June data reflect renewed pessimism about the economy as employers put the brakes on hiring and unemployed people stopped looking for work.