Moore County has experienced its first drop in the unemployment rate in several months.

While the jobless rate still exceeds 10 percent, it dropped eight-tenths of a percent during the month of March, according to data released by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC). It was one of 84 counties that experienced a decrease, its first drop since October.

Gene Norton, manager of the ESC office in Aberdeen, said that while the drop is positive, it doesn't necessarily indicate the nation's economic problems are over.

"It's good to see that it has dropped," he said, "but I don't think it's time to think the downturn in the economy is getting better. [The rate] is still very high."

Norton attributed the drop to the warmer weather, which creates more job opportunities, especially in tourism and construction. At the same time, he said, the weather increases the size of the labor force, meaning more people will need jobs. He said he is taking a "wait-and-see approach."

"I'm not sure this is a long-term type situation," he said. "It will be interesting to see what's going on in May and June."

According to the ESC, rates increased in only 11 counties and remained the same in five. Moore County is below the state average of 10.9 percent.

"While many of our counties are experiencing a slight decrease in unemployment, our state still faces significant challenges because of national recession," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. "We encourage those seeking work or needing to file for benefits to use the services of our many offices statewide. The ESC is working hard to help those who are unemployed find good jobs."

North Carolina had 40 counties that were at or below the state's unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.9 percent. Rates decreased in 13 of the state's Metropolitan Statistical Areas and remained the same in one.

Total county employment (not-seasonally adjusted) decreased in March by 12,350 workers, from 4,044,235 to 4,031,885.

Not-seasonally adjusted unemployment increased, by 16,600 workers. The unemployment total in March was 494,852 workers, compared with 511,452 in February.

Orange County had the state's lowest unemployment rate, at 6.1 percent, in March. Meanwhile, nearby Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 16.6 percent.

Moore County is still faring better than most of its neighbors. Only Chatham County at 7.9 percent, Hoke County at 8.4 percent, and Cumberland County at 9.1 percent, posted better numbers.

Harnett County had a rate of 11.3 percent, followed by Randolph County at 12.2 percent, Lee County at 14.1 percent, and Montgomery County and Richmond County at 14.4 percent.

Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.