The job picture in Henry County continued to improve last month as the unemployment rate fell from 11.8 percent in September to 11.2 percent in October, according to information released on Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Henry County's unemployment rate is now at its lowest point since 2008. This year alone, the county's rate has fallen from 13.5 percent in January to 12.4 percent in June to 11.8 percent in September.
Chad Wlodarek, WorkOne employer service representative for Henry, Fayette and Rush counties, said he has seen more job placement orders from businesses recently.
"People are starting to hire again," he said.
Wlodarek said there are jobs available but he said they are usually in the $8 to $10 range or in certain industries, like health care.
Counties across East Central Indiana are seeing decreases in unemployment rates. For 2010, Randolph County leads the way with its unemployment rate shrinking by 2.8 percent from January to 9.8 percent in October. Delaware County's rate has decreased by 1.8 percent this year to 9.9 percent in October, and Fayette County's rate has decreased by 2.1 percent to 12.8 percent in October.
Indiana's unemployment rate fell from 10.1 percent in September to 9.9 percent in October.
Henry County had the fourth highest unemployment rate in the state in October behind Elkhart County (12.9 percent); Fayette County (12.8 percent); and Vermillion County (11.9 percent).
Jeana Davis of the New Castle Economic Development Directorate said there are more available jobs in the city. She said there were 137 open jobs posted with WorkOne according to a report in November.
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