September was better news for the jobless in Bell County. Kentucky Labor Force Estimates reported nearly a full point drop in unemployment, from 13.3 percent August to 12.5 percent in September. The estimates released by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training report that 90 unemployed individuals found jobs.

All counties in the Cumberland Valley region saw a drop in unemployment, but Bell County had one of the highest drops, along with Clay and Rockcastle Counties.

Cathy Owens, Manager at the Employment and Training Office in Middlesboro, said that while this drop in unemployment for Bell wasn’t big, it was definitely good news.

“Any improvement is good to us,” said Owens. “I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

Owens said she attributed the drop mostly to a federal initiative funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that assigns re-employment specialists to job seekers.

“They do a fantastic job at getting people back to work,” said Owens.

She said that the specialists sit down with the unemployed and sometimes give them job assessments “to see what they’re best suited for.” Owens said the specialist will then match them up with a job in their system. She said it was better for employers to get someone with skills appropriate for the job and that nearly all of the employers wanted to meet with the specialist’s pick.

She said her office has also been sending the unemployed for training to improve their skills. The recently opened Tractor Supply company in Middlesboro, as well as other small businesses, likely curbed the unemployment rate as well, she said.

Owens said that anyone who’s unemployed that is interested in working with a re-employment specialist can call Justin Luttrell at (606) 248 2792.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.