COEUR d'ALENE - According to preliminary statistics from the Idaho Department of Labor, unemployment in the Coeur d'Alene metro area dropped one-tenth of a percentage point last month, falling from 10.7 percent in August to 10.6 percent in September.

At first glance, it looks promising. But don't tell that to Kevin Smith, a Coeur d'Alene resident who stopped by the IDL office on Friday afternoon.

"No, (things) are not improving," Smith said. "I'm here in the unemployment line."

He'd come to file, but the office closed at noon. Smith now has to wait until Monday, which irked him. He has a family to care for, he said, including a daughter at the University of Idaho.

"They say, every time I turn on the news, the economy is picking up, the depression is over," Smith said. "Who's the people coming out and saying this? How can it be getting better? The reason I'm here is because of the economy."

Actually, says IDL regional economist Alivia Body, the lower percentage doesn't necessarily indicate economic recovery. It's just part of the seasonal cycle, the annual shift from summer to autumn.

"It's pretty statistically insignificant," she explained. "If you look at the big picture, not a lot has gone on in Kootenai County."

IDL has always reported seasonally-adjusted rates, but this fall the department updated its seasonal factors to "better reflect the shifts in Idaho's economic patterns," an IDL press release said.

When calculating the monthly unemployment figures, IDL now considers the effects of the recession years, Body explained.

"The new seasonal factors will help smooth over the seasonal adjustments," she said. "Then it really gives you a better idea of what's going on in the economy today."

Sean McClintick, a young Army veteran, is dealing with today's economy. He worked for the Forest Service over the summer, but now he's looking for another job.

His search brought him to the department of labor on Friday.

"I haven't had a big problem with (the economy), McClintick said, adding that job opportunities seem fairly abundant. "I wouldn't say (the recession) is at its end, because anything can change like that, but it's definitely better right now. It's a slow process."

Mark Adira, of Post Falls, moved to Coeur d'Alene from England eight years ago. Hoping to start a career in animal control, he went to IDL for job advice.

"It's pretty slim pickings," Adira said. "I'm trying to get into a specific field, so, we'll see where it goes."

Many Americans have criticized the Obama administration and its handling of the recession (particularly the stimulus package), but Adira said the president inherited a troubled economy and can't be expected to right the ship so soon.

He also harbors a belief that things will get better.

"I think (the economy) is bound to pick up eventually," Adira said. "I think it's working. You gotta give (the president) time."

Statewide, September's unemployment rate was 9 percent, one-tenth of a point higher than the August percentage, IDL noted. Sixteen counties posted double-digit unemployment rates. Adams County hit 19.6 percent, the highest in Idaho, IDL said.

The five Panhandle counties - which are very dependent on natural resources, IDL noted - had the highest regional unemployment rate, 12 percent.

In the Coeur d'Alene area, however, Body said she's noticed a recent increase in static, non-seasonal jobs. Education, manufacturing and administrative positions have been opening up, she said.

So, while the unemployment rate might not indicate an improved economy, there are a few signs, however subtle, of better times ahead.

"I'm not saying that things aren't getting better," Body said. "It's just, compared to last month, (the data) is pretty insignificant."