Escambia County’s unemployment rate was down just slightly in September, from 11.4 percent in August to 11.3 percent last month.

The state rate also edged down slightly, from 9.9 percent to 9.8 percent.

“In September we saw some positive indicators,” said Tom Surtees, director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations. “For the first time in seven months, we are able to report a decline in the number of initial unemployment compensation claims. In addition, the number of benefits being paid out is at the lowest we’ve seen since October 2008.”

Unemployed and underemployed Alabamians are encouraged to visit joblink.alabama.gov to view the state’s online jobs database or to find the location of their local Career Center for free employment assistance.

“Last month our Career Centers reported an increase in the number of active job orders, and in September we were able to compound on that good news with lower unemployment compensation numbers. It is always a step in the right direction if the employment related numbers go up while the unemployment related numbers come down,” Surtees said.