AUGUSTA (AP) — The unemployment rate in Maine fell in February to 3.2 percent, which was the lowest rate since December 2000.

The state Department of Labor says the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.5 percent in January and 3.7 percent a year ago.

The state also says the unemployment rate was below 4 percent in 13 of the last 16 months. That has only happened two other times in the last 40 years.

Maine’s unemployment rate was below the federal mark of 4.7 percent and the New England rate of 3.7 percent.

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