It was announced last week that Newton County’s unemployment rate for March had dropped to 9.4 percent, the lowest it has been since the economic downturn started in 2008.

Although we have not seen a great jump in consumer confidence as yet, we are quick to recognize every word of positive news that we promote.

Hunter Hall, president of the local chamber, told us that some of our major industries have recently been hiring. See our unemployment story at CovNews.com.

Hall also said that he has seen small businesses with some optimism which is slowly spurring them into position for growth.

We are encouraged by Hall’s comments and are looking to further improvement in Newton County’s economy.

The dropping of the unemployment rate is a good sign that this might just be happening.