Polk County saw a .4 decrease in its unemployment rate for the month of April, maintaining one of the lowest rates in the state.

The 6.6 percent unemployment for the month almost amounts to a point difference from this time last year when the county’s unemployment rate was 7.4 percent. Polk County’s unemployment rate has steadily declined since it hit 10 percent in January 2010, according to the Polk County Economic Tourism Development Commission’s 2012-2013 review (full review available at www.polkedc.com). The review also showed that eight commercial construction permits were granted in 2012 for buildings worth $3.6 million, while 43 construction permits were granted for residential buildings worth about $10.6 million.

In April 608 members of the county’s workforce were out of a job. A total of 642 people were without jobs in March from the 9,162-member labor force. Polk County’s labor force also increased to 9,183 workers from 9,162 in March.

Orange County had the lowest rate in the state at 5.3 percent, while Graham County had the highest rate at 15.9 percent.

The state’s overall unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 8.5 percent.