Local jobless rate declines

By Staff
Jason Cannon, FCT Publisher
Franklin County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.5-percent for the month of October, down .2 percent from September and .7-percent lower than October 2005.
Gov. Bob Riley said Friday that the overall decline in the state's unemployment rate is an indicator of the state's strong economy.
"Our incredible Alabama economy continues rolling forward," Riley said. "Our economic growth is historic and brings thousands of new jobs to citizens all across the state. Alabama's high quality workforce continues to help us attract new companies and gives many of our existing industries the confidence to expand their operations."
Employment growth of 11,379 during the month of October pushed Alabama's unemployment rate down to a new record low of 3.2 percent. The previous record low was 3.3 percent, a level reached in March and September of this year.
A year ago – October 2005 – the state's unemployment rate stood at 4.0 percent.
Franklin County's jobless rate represents 504 out of work residents.
The Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area's jobless rate dropped .1-percent for the month of October, down to 3.2-percent.
That represents nearly 2200 out of work residents.