Gov. Robert Bentley recently announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally-adjusted March unemployment rate remained steady at 6.2 percent. Franklin County reported in at 6.4 percent.

“Alabama’s unemployment rate continues to hold steady, all the while showing labor force and employment growth,” Bentley said. “The growth is very encouraging, as we continue to see higher numbers of people working than we have in nearly eight years.”

Franklin County Development Authority Director Mitch Mays said he was “glad to see our unemployment rate is still the lowest in northwest Alabama.”

“I think it’s a direct result of some of the companies we’ve been able to help expand and locate n Franklin County,” Mays said.

Franklin County totaled 869 unemployed people in the labor force for March, as compared to 913 reportedly unemployed in February. The unemployment was down from 6.7 percent in February, as well.