Montana’s unemployment rate dips to 4.3 percent

HELENA (AP) – Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to fall in February to 4.3 percent.

The state Labor Department says total employment levels increased by 2,921 jobs in February, including more than 2,000 payroll jobs.

Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy says two years ago the agency’s job was trying to find jobs for workers. With the stronger economy, she says the task now is to find workers for jobs.

The state’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in January.

The U.S. unemployment rate from 5.7 percent in January to 5.5 percent in February.

The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2 percent in February as energy prices stabilized after several months of sharp decline in gasoline prices.