Unemployment rate falls to 4.2 percent in FC

In Franklin County, the most recent numbers from the Alabama Department of Labor show a 4.2 percent unemployment rate. That mirrors the state average, which is being touted as the lowest unemployment in four years.

“After hovering near the national unemployment rate for several months, Alabama’s rate has dropped below it for the first time in many years,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This is a milestone we’ve been working toward for some time.”

In July 2016, Franklin County posted an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent. The drop to 4.2 represents 59 fewer people being unemployed from the labor force in August.

“As we continue to recruit new businesses to Alabama, hopefully, we’ll be able to maintain that achievement in the months to come,” Ivey said.

According to the data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama had the largest unemployment rate decrease in the nation, both over the month and over the year.

“The news that Alabama experienced the largest rate drop in the country is most welcome,” said Fitzgerald Washington, secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor. “We are committed to working with employers and jobseekers to ensure that we continue to put people back to work.”