Nevada's unemployment rate has dropped to 11.8% in September, down from 12.1% the month earlier.
Officials with the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation say Friday that Las Vegas' jobless rate is 11.5%, down from 12.3% in August.
Reno's rate is 10.8%, down from 11.5% in August, while Carson City's rate is 10.9%, down from 11.6%.
Lyon County also dropped to 14.2% from 14.9% the month before.
Chief state economist Bill Anderson says overall -- things are looking up. 7,100 jobs were created last month - a sign we're definitely seeing a trend toward improvement.
"We have a monthly volatility in the numbers, but when you average all of that out, the conclusion is that we're kind of in the midst of a modest but steady recovery," says chief economist Bill Anderson.
Anderson says the bad news, we're still not even close to approaching the unemployment numbers prior to the recession. But he says we have hit rock bottom, and we're slowly starting to climb.
Gov. Brian Sandoval says he's encouraged by the month's job growth and the slight decrease in the unemployment rate. He noted the state's exports are up one-third over last year and Nevada's more active in the world economy.
Nevada's rate is still higher than the national unemployment rate, which stands at 7.8%.
U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) issued the following statement:
"Any decrease in unemployment is welcome news, and I thank Governor Sandoval for his leadership in helping create jobs in Nevada. Not only have we led the nation in unemployment, but we have also seen record foreclosures and bankruptcies. It's clear that the deficit-fueled stimulus, big government programs, bailouts, and stifling regulations have not created economic recovery here in Nevada or nationwide. I truly believe that Nevada's best days are still ahead of us, but in order to turn our economy around, it's going to take solutions that take our nation in a different direction, encourage long-term economic growth, and get the great State of Nevada back to work," said Senator Dean Heller.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement:
"The reduction in Nevada's latest unemployment rate is encouraging. We are making progress. At the same time, we must continue efforts to strengthen our state's middle class and its small business community to ensure all Nevadans have a fair chance to succeed.
"Democrats have been working hard to pass common-sense measures that would create jobs, provide tax relief to middle class families, and enable small businesses to innovate and hire new workers. However, Republicans have chosen instead to focus on party politics and bring the country to the brink. They are holding the middle class hostage on behalf of millionaires and billionaires. That's wrong.
"I'm confident we can speed up our economic recovery if Republicans choose to work with Democrats to create jobs. Nevada can continue its recent momentum when Republicans finally decide to put politics aside and start to focus on creating jobs and supporting the middle class."
