Berkshire jobless rate falls to 3%

PITTSFIELD -- Berkshire County's unemployment rate improved two-tenths of a percent in October, dropping to 3 percent from 3.2 percent in September.

There were 62,201 people employed and 1,904 unemployed in the county last month, according to the state Division of Employment and Training. The Berkshire County unemployment rate was the fourth lowest of 12 counties in the state.

The Pittsfield labor market area, including the city and nine nearby towns, posted an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, improving from 3.7 percent in September. There were 37,825 people employed and 1,304 unemployed.

The North Adams market, including the city and six towns, improved to 3 percent unemployment from 3.1 percent in Sep-tember. There were 12,474 people employed and 391 unemployed.

The Great Barrington market of 11 towns dropped to 1.8 percent unemployment from 1.9 percent in September. There were 9,586 people employed and 173 unemployed.

All 11 of the state's major labor market areas saw increased unemployment over October 2000. However, Pittsfield's increase of six-tenths of a percent was among the lowest increases.

"While nearly all areas showed significant increases in unemployment from their low or near record lows of one year ago, unemployment rate increases were much less pronounced in the southeastern and western regions of the state," DET said.

Among individual cities and towns in Berkshire County, Pittsfield had 3.3 percent unemployment, with 20,078 people employed and 695 unemployed; North Adams, 3.5 percent unemployment, with 6,938 people employed and 250 unemployed; and Great Barrington, 2.1 percent unemployment, with 4,047 employ-ed and 87 unemployed.

Adams experienced the county's highest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent, followed by Florida at 5.3 percent and New Ashford at 4 percent.

The town of Hancock fully employs 216 people for 0 percent unemployment, according to the state. Alford, at 0.9 percent unemployment is next lowest, with 209 people employed and 2 unemployed.