01/23/18 – 4:27 P.M.

Unemployment rates climbed in the area in December. In Hancock County, the rate increased to 3.4% at the end of the year from 3.1% in November. Despite the increase, it was still .2% lower than December of 2016.

Putnam County saw an increase of .5% from November. It went from 3% to 3.5% but was still lower than the 3.6% recorded at the same time in 2016.

Wood and Wyandot Counties saw slight increases to 3.8% and 3.5% respectively. Seneca, Hardin, and Allen Counties are all over 4.4% unemployment.