AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine’s run of historically low unemployment came to an end in February and is sure to balloon this month, according to state statistics.
The Maine Department of Labor said Friday the unemployment rate for February was 3.2%. It was the 50th month in a row the unemployment rate was less than 4%.
The department said lob losses stemming from the coronavirus outbreak began in the middle of March. Nearly 21,500 residents filed for unemployment last week. That was the highest number on record.
Unemployment had been low throughout New England for months. The region-wide estimate for February was 3%. Maine’s rate had barely budged from January and was nearly the same as February 2019.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.