WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- The employment picture brightened a bit in Bellingham and Whatcom County last month.

The State Employment Security Department reports the local unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in April, down from March's revised rate of 7.9 percent.

Regional Economist Reinhold Groepler with the State Employment Security Department says more people in Whatcom County are finding work.



He says private job growth is up five percent from last year. Manufacturing, retail, and leisure and hospitality businesses did the most hiring.

Unemployment in Whatcom County was at eight percent in April last year. The seasonally-adjusted statewide jobless rate was 8.1-percent last month.