TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 20, 2012 -

March is the first month in which unemployment for the tri-county area of Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla has fallen beneath 7.0% since June of 2008.

Gadsden’s unemployment rate for March was 8.8%, Leon’s fell to 6.6% and Wakulla dropped to 7.3%. . Florida’s unemployment rate dropped from 9.1% to 8.6% over the month and saw a 1.9% decrease over the year. The national rate dropped from 9.2% a year ago and 8.7% a month ago to 8.4% in March. These numbers are seasonally unadjusted, meaning that annual fluctuations in industry employment are not taken into account.

Industries with the most growth in the tri-county area were Education and Health Services, Financial Activities and Professional and business services. The area’s economic improvement is a reflection of the marriage of successful programs, skilled job seekers and confident employers with career opportunities.