Indiana's jobless rate drops to 9.9 percent

INDIANAPOLIS  — Indiana's unemployment rate dropped to 9.9 percent in August, but state officials say its too early to tell whether the decline marks the beginning of a trend.

Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers released Friday show Indiana's jobless rate fell from 10.6 percent in July, putting it among just four states with measurable rate decreases over the month. More than 307,000 Indiana residents were looking for work in August, down from 332,000 in July.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says it's too early to tell whether the decline is just a temporary blip. Agency Commissioner Teresa Voors says the drop is welcome news, but added that data from the next few months will help determine whether the state's economy is rebounding.