Carroll County's unemployment rate dropped from 3.8
percent in September to 3.7 percent in October, continuing the trend of a stable business climate in the county.
"We have a very good and improving business climate in Carroll County, and I think what you're seeing reflects that," said Paul Denton, chairman of the county Economic Development Commission.
Statewide, unemployment also dropped, from 5.1 percent in September to 5 percent in October, state economic development officials said. Slightly more than 8,600 people entered the labor market, but employment increased by 11,706 people.
Seasonal adjustments in the employment figures actually created a slightly larger drop in unemployment from 5.2 percent in September to 5 percent in October, statewide.
"The drop in the unemployment rate and improvements in the other economic indicators are good signs that the recovery in Maryland is continuing," said Mark Wasserman, secretary of Economic and Employment Development. "We are particularly encouraged by the drop in the seasonally adjusted rate, which indicates that the improvement is due to economic recovery rather than seasonal forces."
Mr. Denton said the local drop in unemployment could be related to Christmas hiring.
L "You always see that around this time of the year," he said.
Theodora Stephen, manager of the county Department of Economic and Employment Development, echoed Mr. Denton about the business climate.
"I know there are no major employers in the county laying off people -- there's been no major activity in laying off or hiring -- and that's why there's such a small change," she said.
The civilian labor force in Carroll increased from 68,361 in September to 68,623 in October. The civilian labor force is the sum of people seeking work and people employed.
The number of employed people in the county rose from 65,732 in September to 66,073 in October, while the number of unemployed people dropped from 2,629 in September to 2,550 in October.
The 3.7 percent unemployment means Carroll is maintaining its status as the county with the lowest unemployment rate in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
State economic officials said part of the improvement in employment figures came from trade industries where job gains were reported in general merchandise, food, furniture and miscellaneous retail stores during October.
Nationally, unemployment dropped by 0.2 percent to 5.4 percent in October, state economic officials said.