County’s jobless claims continue

More people are back to work in Franklin County than there has been in quite some time.

Statistics released by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Friday show the county’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.5 percent in September.

That is down from August’s recorded number of 9.7 percent and almost three percentage points lower than the 12.3 percent recorded in September 2009. The 9.5 percent represents 1,253 county residents.

The state average fell to 8.9 percent last month, which is significantly lower than the 10.7 percent in September 2009. The state average is the lowest its been since February 2009.

“This is the fifth month in a row that Alabama has seen a decline in its unemployment

rate,” said Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees.

“Once again, our rate is below the national average of 9.6 percent, and we

recently had some good news that several of our metro areas have experienced some of

the largest drops in unemployment in the nation.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that five of the nation’s top 10

metropolitan areas with the biggest declines in unemployment are located in Alabama.

These metro areas are: Florence-Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Anniston, Gadsden and

Tuscaloosa.

“In addition to all this good news, our statistics are looking pretty good, too. Our first-time claims are at the lowest point in two years, and our benefit payments are the lowest

we’ve seen this year,” Surtees said.

The counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby County at 6.8 percent, Madison County at 7.1 percent and Coffee County at 7.2 percent.

The counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 20.9 percent, Greene County at 19.8 percent and Dallas County at 17.2 percent.

In northwest Alabama, Lauderdale County’s rate is 8.4 percent, Colbert County is at 9 percent, Lawrence is at 9.7 percent, Marion is at 12.4 percent and Winston County is at 14.1 percent.

Over the past five months, the state’s unemployment rate has fallen from 11 percent recorded in April to the 8.9 percent rate for September announced on Friday.

“Alabama not only has an unemployment rate that is lower than the national rate, but our unemployment rate is falling faster than any other state.  In just five months, unemployment in Alabama has fallen 2.1 percent.  This sharp decline is a positive sign our economy is getting back on track and Alabama is headed in the right direction,” Gov. Bob Riley said.