Area counties posted noticeable unemployment rate declines inApril as Mississippi Department of Employment Security totalsindicated more people were finding work.

At 6.7 percent, Lincoln County’s jobless rate was down 0.7.

“We’re down significantly,” said Cliff Brumfield,Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce executive vicepresident. “Lincoln County dropped the same as the state.”

The state’s April rate was down to 6.3 percent from 7 percent inMarch.

MDES officials cited gains in retail trade and most other jobsectors. Brumfield echoed state officials in discussing localtrends.

“Those surely are being realized in local markets,” Brumfieldsaid. “We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in southwestMississippi.”

In the area, Lincoln County tied Lawrence County and AmiteCounty for the lowest April rate. Lawrence’s total was down 0.8while Amite’s fell 0.4.

“We are a hair above the state average,” Brumfield said.”However, this caveat makes us more attractive to business andindustry because of the number of skilled people looking forjobs.”

Other area counties’ rates for April included:

* Copiah County: 7.4 percent, down 0.4.

* Franklin County: 8.0 percent, down 0.6.

* Pike County: 7.9 percent, down 0.3.

* Walthall County: 7.1 percent, down 0.7.

* Jefferson County: 12.5 percent, down 0.9.

Brumfield said he hoped to see continued good news on theunemployment front. He indicated that declining gasoline prices,summer employment needs and students entering the work force couldimpact future jobless rate totals.

“It’ll be interesting to see what it does,” Brumfield said.”We’d be proud to see a decline again.”

In a statement, state officials predicted increases ahead.

“Traditionally the unemployment rates rise in May as studentsenter the work force to seek summer employment,” said Liz Barnett,public information director. “But the full brunt of student summerworkers will not be felt until June and July, which puts pressureon the labor market.”

MDES officials said only eight counties, led by Jefferson’s 12.5percent, had double-digit jobless rates in April. Twenty-sevencounties, with DeSoto County’s 4.1 percent the lowest, had ratesequal to or less than the state.