Jobless rate dips 1.5 percent

While Montana’s unemployment held steady in March, remaining at 6.2 percent, the jobless rate in Lincoln County dipped 1.5 percent, according to the latest figures released by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

The drop is seasonal, according to the local Job Service officer in Libby.

“We’re starting to see an increase in the seasonal employment,” said Johnette Watkins, manager of the local Job Service office at 417 Mineral Ave. “Actually, it’s been picking up the last couple of weeks with the environmental services people beginning work. We still haven’t seen a lot of loggers go back to work, but, yes, we suspect it will continue downward for the next month.”

Watkins said she is optimistic about the Job Fair coming this Thursday, April 26, to the Armory building. The job fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Armory is located at 1004 Treasure Ave.

Last month, Lincoln County’s unemployed led the state at 18.1 percent, making it tops in that category, followed closely by nearby Sanders County, which is second highest in March, trailing by just one-tenth (0.1) of 1 percent. 

Since August, the state’s unemployment rate declined 1.6 percent since August of 2011.  The national unemployment rate declined slightly to 8.2 percent for the month.

“After trending down for the last six months, Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at 6.2 percent in March,” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly.  

“Although job growth has slowed slightly this month, likely due to increased oil and gasoline prices, I remain positive about continued job growth throughout the rest of the year.”

Total employment estimates, which include payroll, self-employed, and agricultural workers, indicated slower job growth of 264 jobs in March, but the increase of 6,300 jobs during the last year remains above Montana’s long-term growth rate.  

Payroll employment estimates indicated a decline of about 200 jobs over the last month, but job totals have increased over the last quarter. 

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 points in March, with price increases occurring across all goods.  

The energy index had the largest increase at 0.9 percentage points over the month due to a large increase in gasoline prices.  The index for all items less food and energy (also called core inflation) increased by 0.2 percent.