Unemployment rate decreases in July

 The unemployment rate for Flathead County for July decreased to 5.3 percent while the county’s work force continues to grow. 

The county’s jobless rate was 0.4 percent lower than in June, according to figures released Friday by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. During July, Flathead County had 2,502 unemployed people out of a total labor force of 47,184. 

July marked the third straight month Flathead County’s jobless rate was below 6 percent.

Flathead County continues to rebuild its work force after the downturn of the recession. The labor force grew by over 3,000 people in June and July. 

Lake County’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.4 percent in July from 6.2 percent recorded in June. 

Lincoln County’s jobless rate was down 0.7 percent to 10.5 percent while Sanders County’s July rate was unchanged at 9.9 percent. 

Montana’s statewide unemployment rose 0.1 to 4.6 percent. The U.S. employment rate also increased slightly to 6.2 percent. 

“Strong job creation and more Montanans returning to the work force shows increasing optimism about the state’s economy,” Montana Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy said in a prepared statement.

Bucy encouraged employers to continually expand their training for employees. 

“As the state’s work force continues to grow, it’s crucial that we expand our work-force development efforts so employers have the talented and trained workforce that they’ve come to expect in the state,” Bucy said.