Missouri’s unemployment rate for February has fallen four-tenths of a point from January to 4.7 percent. That compares to 5.4 percent for February of 2002, taking the rate to its lowest level since July of 2001. Economic Development Director Joe Driskill says this is a good indication that brighter economic days are ahead, but he cautions against taking for granted that there has been an economic turnaround. While the overall employment picture looks good, there are still some problem areas. Stone County, in southwest Missouri, had a jobless rate of 19.9 percent. Taney County, also in southwest Missouri, posted a jobless rate of 17.2 percent. On the positive side, Boone County in mid-Missouri had a jobless rate of 2 percent. Cole County, also in mid-Missouri, posted an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent. Nodaway County, in northwest Missouri, had a low unemployment rate of 2.1 percent.
