The unemployment rate in Valencia County fell by one percent in April, the largest decrease in unemployment since the economic downturn in the fall of 2008.

The unemployment rate for April 2010.

The unemployment rate decreased from 10.5 to 9.5 from March to April, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In April, the City of Belen and Los Lunas Schools approved layoffs due to deficits, yet the rate still shows a decline.

Exactly one year ago, the unemployment rate fell from 6.9 to 6.6 percent but has been on the rise since then.

This page was published on June 21, 2010 at 11:18pm and is filed under Economy.