The state of Alabama continues to see a positive trend in its unemployment numbers with March’s rate of 5.7 percent, which is the lowest rate the state has seen in almost seven years.

“We continue to see decreases in Alabama’s unemployment rate, and increases in both our employment measures, which is a testament to the strong economic development efforts we have prioritized,” said Gov. Robert Bentley in a press release.

Alabama hasn’t seen its unemployment numbers increase in over a year.

“We have gone 16 months with no increase in our unemployment rate,” Bentley said. “This steady progress is further evidence that, as far as employment indicators go, Alabama has regained its pre-recession standing.”

Dallas County’s unemployment rate saw a decrease as well, as the rate fell from 8.7 percent in February to 8.6 percent in March.

“I just think it shows that it is stabilizing, and that we’ve made good steady progress since it was way up back in 2009,” said Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Economic Development Authority. “We’ve made a good comeback, and we hope it stays steady.”

Dallas County ranks just inside of the top ten for the highest unemployment rate out of Alabama’s 67 counties, but it fell from eighth to ninth from February to March. Last year, Dallas had an average rating of sixth place.

“As long as I can remember, we’ve always been [ranked] third,” Vardaman said. “We’re making good progress. All of our industries appear to be hiring right now.”

According to unemployment numbers from Gov. Robert Bentley’s office, Dallas County saw its number of employed increase by 317 in the month of March. The labor force grew from 14,073 to 14,390.

“My priority as governor remains job creation,” Bentley said.

“And I will continue my effort until every Alabamian who wants a job has the opportunity to have one.”

Shelby County has the lowest rate in the state at 3.9 percent, and Wilcox County has the highest at 13.6 percent.

“Every county in Alabama currently has a lower unemployment rate than they did a year ago,” said Alabama Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington in a release. “Wilcox County, despite having one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, has seen a 5 percentage point decrease in its rate over the year.”

With summer on the horizon, the rate could fall even more, as businesses look to hire summer help.