The Kootenay unemployment rate remains below both the provincial and national averages, according to Statistics Canada.
The national number-counting agency pegged joblessness at 6.2 per cent in our region last month, compared to 6.8 per cent in December.
The national rate was 7.6 per cent in January while the provincial rate was 6.9 per cent.
The local rate is even better when compared to January 2011, when it stood at 8.3 per cent.
StatsCan estimated 5,000 people were looking for work in our region last month, but about 300 more people had jobs than the previous month.
The figures cover both the East and West Kootenays.