Madison unemployment drops to 4.1 percent

By Staff
Staff reports
Madison County Record
Unemployment in Madison County decreased to 4.1 percent in November 2002, a decrease from the 4.2 percent rate of October, but above the 3.8 percent recorded a year ago.
Madison County remains below the national unemployment rate at 6.0 percent and is among the lowest in Alabama. Alabama's unemployment rate increased to 5.8 percent in November, an increase from the 5.6 percent rate of October, but below the 5.9 percent recorded a year ago.
Neighboring Limestone County saw a decrease in its unemployment rate in November 2002 at 5.6 percent.
"Alabama is reflecting a national trend of higher unemployment," said Alice McKinney, director of the department of industrial relations. "It is unfortunate that the increased unemployment is coinciding with the holiday season and at a time when the extended unemployment compensation benefits program has expired."