AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s unemployment rate for November was 6.4 percent, down nearly 1 percent since last year.

The Maine Department of Labor said Friday that it’s the lowest figure the state has seen since November 2008.

It said the unemployment rate for November dropped 0.3 percentage points from the prior month. That’s down from 7.2 percent one year ago.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage said his administration has been working to improve the business climate in Maine by doing things like reducing taxes and streamlining regulations. He said that’s making Maine more competitive in attracting and retaining jobs.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said about 45,500 Mainers were unemployed in November, which is down 5,400 from last year.