BOZEMAN - For most of this year, Park County has had unemployment numbers above 7 percent.

The region was hit by job cuts in the timber and mining industry as well as reductions in available construction jobs.

Officials say the summer tourism season has helped soften the blow, but compared to the last five summers Park County's unemployment is 3.3 percent higher this year.

Still, some residents are optimistic. At 6.6 percent, the unemployment rate has dropped almost two points from its peak of 8.5 percent in February.a