Maine jobless rate dips to 7.1 percent in March

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- The Maine Labor Department says the state's unemployment rate in March was 7.1 percent, down slightly from 7.3 percent in February.

Maine's rate for March was lower than the national rate of 7.6 percent.

Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show 50,000 people unemployed in March, down 1,700 over the year.

Analysts say Maine's unemployment rate declined in March due in part to a higher share of employed population and partly due to lower labor force participation.