Unemployment numbers released

Calhoun County saw a slight increase in jobs after a year of overall decline, according to numbers released by the Alabama Department of Labor Friday, but economists say they are encouraged by statewide gains in employment.Meanwhile, Etowah County's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest rate since December 2013, and the state unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in seven months, according to statistics released Friday by the Alabama Department of Labor.

This was the second straight month the unemployment rate dropped both locally and statewide.

Etowah County's unemployment rate in September was 5.9 percent, down from the August level of 7.0 percent. The state unemployment rate in September was 6.6 percent, down from the August rate of 6.9 percent.  According to survey of employers conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Calhoun County added 100 jobs between August and September, but lost 900 from September to the same month last year.

survey found that Alabama gained 12,700 jobs from August to September and 31,000 from SeptembThe same er 2013 to last month.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby County at 4.3 percent; Lee and Cherokee counties at 4.7 percent; and Blount County at 4.8 percent.