Mahoning Valley unemployment rate down in February

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley’s unemployment rate dropped again in February to 6.7 percent compared to 8.4 percent in February 2014.

In the three counties that make up the Valley ­— Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana — the number of unemployed dropped from 21,000 in February 2014 down to 16,600 in February 2015, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services data released today.

The number of Valley workers increased from February 2014 to February 2015 by 2,300. The civilian labor force dropped by 2,000 year over year in the Valley.

Columbiana County alone saw a drop in the jobless rate by 1.5 percent — from 8 percent in February 2014 down to 6.5 percent in February 2015.

Trumbull’s dropped from 8.8 percent down to 7 percent.

Mahoning’s unemployment rate also dropped from 8.3 percent in February 2014 to 6.6 percent in February 2015.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com