The unemployment rates in Columbia and Greene counties declined from July 2012 to July 2013, according to data released by the New York State Labor Department Tues., Aug. 20. In Greene County, the jobless rate dropped from 9.4 percent to 7.6 percent; unemployment decreased in Columbia County from 7.6 percent to 6.2 percent. The downward trend was repeated throughout the Hudson Valley. Unemployment rates also fell in Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam and Sullivan counties. Statewide the private sector job count increased by nearly 130,000 between July 2012 and July 2013. The lowest unemployment rate was reported by Hamilton County, located in the north central part of the state.