July jobless totals represented good news for area counties asall posted unemployment rate declines for the summer month,according to Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC)totals.

At two-tenths of a point, Lincoln County had the smallestdecline. However, the county’s 4 percent rate was the second-lowestin the area behind Amite County’s 3.5 percent, which represented aseven-tenths of a point drop.

“We did better in July than we did in June,” said Chandler Russ,executive vice-president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamberof Commerce.

Russ pointed out the county added 40 people to its civilianlabor force for a total of 14,590.

Additionally, 80 more people were employed in July over June.The number of unemployed and actively seeking a job was listed at580, a drop from June’s 620.

Russ said the major job gains were in the service sector, whilemoderate gains were seen in the wholesale and retail areas. Therewere some slight employment decreases in the manufacturing area andin government-related employment, which Russ attributed to schoolfactors.

While he was optimistic about July numbers, Russ indicated acloud on the horizon as the county absorbs an August industryclosing and the loss of approximately 119 jobs.

“We did really well, but I expect the numbers to increase overthe next couple of months as we see the impact of Auburn Sportswearclosing its doors,” Russ said. “That should show up in August andSeptember.”

For July, Lincoln County was listed at number 23 incounty-by-county rankings. The county’s rate remained below thestate and national averages, which were both 4.7 percent.

“Our local economy has been relatively strong in the wake of anational economic slowdown,” Russ said in discussing the lowjobless rate and continued healthy sales tax collections.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, five counties sawdeclines of one percentage point or more.

Leading the way was Lawrence County with a 1.6-point drop. Itsrate was down to 7.2 percent.

Walthall and Jefferson counties each saw drops of 1.4 points.Walthall’s rate fell to 5.2 percent while Jefferson was at 16.1percent, the second-highest in the state behind Holmes County’s16.8 percent.

Franklin County experienced a 1.3-point drop to 7 percent. PikeCounty’s jobless picture improved with a 1.1-point decline to 4.9percent.

Copiah County’s rate dropped six-tenths of a point to 5.2percent.

Across the state, the 4.7 percent average was down from 5.3percent in June. MESC officials attributed the decline to job gainsin agriculture, construction, food products, banks and creditinstitutions and amusements sectors.

“Overall the employment numbers are very positive,” said MESCExecutive Director Curt Thompson. “Most counties saw theirunemployment rates decrease and the statewide rate was 1.2percentage points lower than last July.”

Lamar County had the lowest rate in the state at 2.1 percent.Overall 32 counties had jobless rate below the state average.

For August, Thompson predicted continued good numbers as studentjob seekers return to school.