Missouri’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in almost two years. The economic development department puts the March rate at 9.1 percent.

Department spokesman John Fougere thinks the numbers show substantial improvement in the Missouri labor market. He says conditions began to turn around late in 2010, leading to a gain of 1,000 jobs for the year. March’s figures show 24,000 jobs created in that month alone, mostly in construction and in hospitality industries.

Fougere expects this month and next month to show continued improvement.

Interview with John Fougere 7:20 mp3