Ohio and Lawrence County got a little bit of good news this week after the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released its latest unemployment rates.

Statewide, unemployment rates dropped to 5.3 percent for May, which was down from 5.7 percent in March and 6.1 percent in April.

Here in Lawrence County, May’s jobless rate came in at 5.6 percent, nearly 2 percent less than in January. This is also the county’s lowest jobless rate since 2008.

Lawrence County’s unemployment is also about 2 percent less than Scioto, Jackson and Gallia counties.

With several promising business opportunities on the horizon, hopefully that number will continue to decrease.

The Ninth Street Gateway project in Ironton will create about 125 jobs upon the opening of the Frisch’s Big Boy in August and Holiday Inn Express and Suites in October. Another new restaurant in Ironton, The Depot, will add to that number when its doors open later this summer.

When Bulk Liquid Transport opens up in the former Wolohan Lumber building, between 17 and 40 jobs could be available.

On the eastern end of the county, the Wyngate at RiversEdge senior living community in Rome Township is poised to create more than 50 jobs.

These are all much needed additions to Lawrence County’s economy. We hope elected officials, economic development leaders and business people throughout the county will continue to work together to continue to lower jobless rates and make the county prosper.