FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The jobless rate in the Fort Wayne area fell once again.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the jobless rate for the metropolitan statistical area fell seven-tenths of a percentage point to 4.5 percent in April. Unemployment dropped in April from March, but unemployment was higher in April 2016 compared to April 2015, according to the Journal-Gazette.

The local metropolitan statistical area includes Allen, Wells, and Whitley counties.

There were almost 10,000 more people in the labor force and about 8,500 more people employed in April, which indicates a stronger local economy, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.