LEE COUNTY, Fla.-Brand new unemployment numbers show a positive sign for Southwest Florida. Statewide, unemployment is down for the month of May. Unemployment is at 11.7% compared to 12% in April. That's a drop of .3%. Some of the credit goes to more than 4,000 Gulf Coast recovery jobs that are now available statewide.

Locally, the numbers are also down from month-to-month but up year-to-year.

Charlotte County unemployment is at 12% for May 2010. That's down from 12.6% in April 2010 but up from 11% in May 2009.

Collier County unemployment is 11.2% in May 2010, down from 11.5% in April 2010 but up from 10.1% in May of 2009.

Lee County unemployment is at 12.5% in May 2010, down from 12.7% in April but up from 11.8% in May of 2009.

Unfortunately, Hendry County ranks in the top five across the state for highest unemployment. It increased both month-to-month and year-to-year.