Special to the Advocate

Employment growth of 11,379 during the month of October pushed Alabama's unemployment rate down to a new record low of 3.2 percent, Governor Bob Riley announced Friday.

The previous record low was 3.3 percent, a level reached in March and September of this year.

&#8220Our incredible Alabama economy continues rolling forward,” Governor Riley said.

&#8220Our economic growth is historic and brings thousands of new jobs to citizens all across the state.

Alabama's high quality workforce continues to help us attract new companies and gives many of our existing industries the confidence to expand their operations.”

The number of employed Alabamians grew from 2,129,821 in September to 2,141,200 in October.

The number of unemployed Alabamians fell from 73,706 in September to 71,204 in October.

A year ago - October 2005 - the state's unemployment rate stood at 4.0 percent.

Shelby County recorded the lowest county unemployment rate in the state at 2.1 percent.

The highest county rate was 8.4 percent in Bullock County.

Butler County maintained a relatively low unemployment rate at 4.9 percent. The county's unemployment rate was 4.7 percent last month.