May jobless numbers better in northern Wisconsin counties

Iron County’s unemployment rate improved by 2.5 percent in May, but the 11.5 percent figure was still the second worst in the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced the May job rates late last week.

In April, Iron County’s jobless rate stood at 14 percent and it was 11 percent a year ago.

The monthly release from the DWD did not state the reason for the improvement in the job picture throughout the state, but summer hiring and numerous construction projects likely brought in more jobs. The DWD said in 2012, Wisconsin experienced its largest growth in construction jobs in more than a decade.

The report also cited increased new business formations in the state as a positive indication of a better economy.

Vilas County’s employment picture improved by 3 percent, from 12.3 percent in April to 9.3 percent in May. A year ago, it was 8.7 percent.

In Oneida County, the improvement was from 10.3 percent to 8.3 percent.

Price County’s jobless rate dropped from 7.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

Ashland County had a modest gain from 10 percent to 9.5 percent, but that wasn’t as good as the 8.6 percent rate of a year ago.

A total of 70 of the state’s 72 counties showed improved numbers in May.

Only Florence County got worse, from 7.4 percent to 8 percent.