CHENANGO COUNTY – The New York State Department of Labor released its monthly report last week and with it, some good news for the Chenango County job front.

According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate in Chenango County during the month of June rounded out at 5.6 percent, the lowest its been since 2008. Barring a seasonal uptick in unemployment in January and February, the rate of unemployment for the county has steadily declined since the start of 2013, when it stood at 9.4 percent.

Additionally, the local labor force has jumped to more than 25,000 – the highest since September. DOL’s report also indicates that approximately 700 more people became employed in the county between May and June, contributing to Chenango’s ranking of number 22 in the state in terms of unemployment.

“What we are mostly seeing in Chenango County is a growth in manufacturing jobs,” said Christian Harris, DOL Market Analyst for the Southern Tier Region.