Alabama's unemployment rate jumped to 9.8 percent last month but dothan's rate is lower by 2 percent.

The Circle City is fortunate to beat the state's average and there are even more jobs available.

The last time Alabama hit an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent was in December of 1984.

Alabama hit the 9.8 percent mark last May. Only a year ago it was just 4.7 percent.

But locally, the numbers aren't so bad.

"Our unemployment rate for the month of May is 7.8 percent. Dale County is 7.9, Coffee is 7.4, Geneva is 8.7 and Henry County is 9.7" says Steve Turkoski, of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dothan is home to many businesses in the restaurant, shopping, and even the medical fields which show excitement breeds activity.

"You have to have economic growth for growth in the community. But one of the primary variables that people look at outside the community is the available workforce" says Turkoski.

Self employment is on the rise and there is a shortage of workers in some fields like production, sales, material moving, and food preparation.

"There are still jobs available and if people go on the job link website they can go onto the wiregrass or the individual county and see how many jobs were available” says Turkoski

Today, there were 453 jobs available in the wiregrass and 260 in Houston County"

And those who are unemployed aren't giving up on the job search. Many are still flocking to the nearest career center with hopes in finding a job.

"They do have a lot of traffic as well as online traffic. People can apply for these jobs online, so it really all depends on the skill that matches the job.”

Some are going back to school to learn new skills and are even taking advantage of online courses to change careers.

Florida's unemployment rate is even higher.

It jumped to 10.2 percent last may.