Press Release

Montgomery County Unemployment Rate At Its Lowest In More Than A Decade

County's Unemployment Rate Falls Below 5 Percent For The First Time Since October 2006

FONDA - Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced Wednesday that the county's unemployment rate has dropped under five percent for the first time in 12 years. According to a New York State Department of Labor report, Montgomery County's unemployment rate for May 2018 sits at 4.9 percent, the lowest it has been since October 2006 (4.5 percent).

"This is encouraging news," said Ossenfort, who is a member of the Governor's State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB), which is the governance body for workforce development. "We are continuing to work hard on a whole host of initiatives and projects to provide residents with opportunities for jobs, while attracting investment and additional revenues for the county. With this positive report and increased employment opportunities on the horizon, we are continuing to take steps forward."

Montgomery County continues to outpace the state average in job growth. Over the past 12 months (May 2017 - May 2018), the total number of nonfarm jobs in the county has increased by 2 percent, compared to 1.2 percent at the state level. The Current Employer Statistics compiled by the Department of Labor also show private sector job growth is up 0.6 percent from this time last year.

"At the county level, we are continuing to work together to foster a positive climate for businesses," said Legislative Chairman Robert Headwell Jr. (District 4). "We are committed to working hard so that there are opportunities for residents to live, work and play in this community. There are increased opportunities spreading across the entire county and these strong job numbers reinforce that."

Dollar General is currently constructing a distribution center in the Florida Business Park Extension. When operational, in the next year, that facility is expected to add 400 jobs to the more than 1,300 already employed in the corridor that makes up the Florida Business Park and Florida Business Park Extension on New York State Route 5S, in the Town of Florida.

"Over the past few years, we've seen significant private sector investment and that has only increased recently," said Montgomery County Business Development Director Ken Rose. "The Dollar General project, our redevelopment efforts in Canajoharie and some of the activity in the City of Amsterdam should bring in even more opportunities. There are exciting developments taking place throughout the county."