Unemployment numbers went down during the month of May, according to officials with the Development Authority of Dawson County.

A news release from the local authority stated that the May 2010 unemployment rate was reported as 9.7 percent, while the peak unemployment rate during February 2010 was 11.1 percent.

“Clearly more people are finding work,” said Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the authority. “The unemployment rate is still unacceptably high, but the situation is getting better month to month.”

There were 1,064 Dawson County residents out of work during the month of May.

At the state level, unemployment rates for May were at 9.9 percent.

In other economic news, Auvermann reported that retail sales were showing signs of improvement recently.

He said the authority also tracks consumer confidence figures.

“The index was very strong in May, but slipped again in June. That indicates we are not completely out of the woods just yet.”