PORTLAND, Maine - Unemployment went down in Maine in January. From 3.8 percent in December, to 3.5 percent in the first month of the new year.
State Labor Department official Glenn Mills says several areas led a gain in job creation.
"Over the year, the strongest job gains were in the health care, hospitality and construction sectors," Mill says. "Manufacturing was relatively flat, which was a good performance given the large loss of paper mill jobs that occurred during the year."
Mills says the number of Mainers who are part-timers looking for full-time work is also down. He says the complete picture is one of a state economy approaching full employment.
Maine's 3.5 percent January jobless rate was well below the national rate for the month of 4.8 percent.
