The unemployment rate dropped again in Minnesota last month — bringing it further from the national average.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate for September is 7.3 percent, which is a fair drop from August when the state posted an eight percent seasonally adjusted unemployment rate.

The nation’s September rate was 9.8 percent.

The most recent available data in Mower County is for August, which was lower than the nation and the state, at 5.8 percent, according to the Minnesota Workforce Center in Albert Lea.

“Mower County is insulated somewhat from the problem because of all of the jobs in food processing,” Bob Haas, area manager at The Minnesota Workforce Center.

“People need to eat,” he said.

“And so employment in the food processing area has been fairly stable,” he added.

Mower county’s unemployment has dropped from 6.2 percent in July, but is higher than August of 2008 when the rate was 4.5 percent.

There are two reasons for the statewide decline, according to an Associated Press report.

State officials said 18,000 fewer people sought unemployment assistance and 14,800 more people are unemployed.

Minnesota still counts 124,000 less jobs than in September 2008.

Five of Minnesota’s 11 sectors added jobs last month, according to the AP report.