Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate in the Kootenays dipped in October compared to the same time last year.
Out of a population of 141,100, there were about 77,200 people working and 4,000 looking for work, for a rate of 4.9 per cent.
For the same period of 2021, the population stood at 139,300, with 77,900 people employed and another 5,000 job hunting, a rate of six per cent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady last month at 5.2 per cent, while the BC rate was 4.2 per cent.
The economy added 108,000 more jobs, making up for losses from May to September.
Stats Can says employment rose in manufacturing, construction, and accommodation and food services, but fell in wholesale and retail trade, as well as in natural resources.
The number of private-sector employees rose for the first time since March. There was little change in the number of public sector employees or self-employed workers.