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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The unemployment rate for Chilton County stayed at 2.8% in August, representing 560 people.

This is the same rate of unemployment that was reported in July.

The August rates were released on Sept. 17 by the Alabama Department of Labor.

Chilton County’s unemployment rate remains below the state rate of 3.1 %.

“Alabama continues our streak of dropping unemployment, getting more of our people back to work and able to provide for their families, and we are seeing our jobs count and wages consistently rise,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a press release. “Employers in Alabama have jobs to fill, and they’re doing so at a good pace. We’re proud of the progress Alabama is making as we continue to overcome the challenges we faced due to the pandemic. Alabama is working again, and we know our work is not done yet.”

Statewide average weekly earnings were reported as increasing to $993.35 in August.

Industries seeing increased jobs in August were government, the professional and business services and financial institutions.

“We are working hard every day to reach out to those employers who still need assistance in finding employees, while at the same time working to reach those who are still looking for work, or those who are looking to advance their careers,” Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said in a press release.  “Right now is a great time to search for a job, as wages have once again hit a new record high in Alabama. Both employers and jobseekers can obtain free services by visiting any of our local career centers. We’re here to help in any way we can.”

Shelby County was again listed as having the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.1%.

Wilcox County has the highest at 11.1%.