Posted: 4:42 PM Mar 14, 2012
Reporter: The Associated Press

Mississippi's unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent in January, as the number of people with jobs rose.

It's the first time unemployment has dipped below 10 percent in the state since September 2009.

The jobless rate was down from 10.4 percent in December and 10.5 percent in January 2011.

Despite the decrease, Mississippi had the
fifth-highest jobless rate among the states in December.

The number of unemployed fell to 133,700 in January, down from more than 140,000 in both December and in January 2011, according
to seasonally adjusted figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of people looking for jobs fell by 2,500, partially accounting for dips in both the number of unemployed people and the unemployment rate.

Mississippi payrolls fell by 1,000 from December, when seasonally adjusted.

Alabama's unemployment rate has gone down again to 7.8 percent.

The state Department of Industrial Relations says January's figure is down from 8.0 percent in December, and it continues a steady decline that began in July.

Gov. Robert Bentley said the rate is Alabama's lowest in more than three years. But he says the state is not where it needs to be. He said there are more than 160,000 Alabama residents still looking for work and others who have left the work force.

Bentley said job creation must remain the top priority.

Counties with the lowest rates were Shelby at 5.8 percent, Coffee at 6.8 percent and Lee at 6.9 percent. Counties with the highest rates were Wilcox at 17.2 percent, Lowndes at 16.6 percent
and Dallas at 14.6 percent.

WTOK Mobile Site Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Station