Unemployment was down for the fifth straight month in May; sales taxes were steady and slightly up; and real estate is moving more quickly.

All of those are positive signs for the local economy.

Unemployment dropped to 9.1 percent, the lowest it’s been in many, many months. That’s lower than the state average, and lower than rates in most of the surrounding counties.

The average real estate sales price has increased by $10,000 over average sales last year, and houses are staying on the market for less time.

And our sales taxes continue to hold steady, month-to-month and year to date.

It all adds up to good news for Covington County residents. The economy that has been ailing is showing slow, steady improvement, which is the easiest kind to maintain.