New numbers released by the state of Massachusetts show the unemployment rate dropping to a level not seen in almost 20 years.
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor And Workforce Development, the preliminary estimate for the state unemployment rate in April was 2.9 percent.
"That's the first time since December of 2000 the unemployment rate in Massachusetts has been below 3 percent," said Charlie Pearce, communications director for the office.
The national unemployment rate is also hitting an historic low at 3.6 percent — a level not seen since 1969.
The Massachusetts rate is not quite as low as that of New Hampshire or Vermont.
Connecticut's was a bit higher, at 3.8 percent.