The latest unemployment numbers say the state jobless rate fell by a tenth of a percentage point in December to an even four percent. The national unemployment rate is five percent.
The Department of Labor and Industry says Montana added 10,200 jobs in 2015.
Patrick Barkey, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, says the unemployment numbers are the result of steady economic growth over the last seven years.
"And that growth has been slow and disappointing, but it has produced a nice result. And that is, the Montana economy is now back to full employment."
Barkey spoke in Helena today where the Bureau unveiled its annual state economic outlook. Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry says more construction jobs than usual were added in December, but retail employment was down.
