Dane County unemployment rates increased by 0.6 percent in February, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Department of Workforce Development.

The rates increased from the January unemployment rates, which were declared the highest rates in 25 years.

Unemployment statistics for the state of Wisconsin, released earlier this week, also showed an upward trend, increasing by 1.1 percent.

Josh Wescott, spokesperson for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, said in an e-mail to The Badger Herald the county provides support for a variety of economic assistance programs. County officials have seen a definite rise in demand for these types of programs.

Dane County is not the only county taking a hit in unemployment. February statistics show unemployment rates increased in all but one of the state’s 72 counties. Kewaunee County is the only county which saw no change in unemployment.

“The county is responding in a couple of ways,” Wescott said. “In recent years, we have added (county) staff to make sure citizens needing help, receive it.”

The county officials are aggressively pursuing ways to help create opportunities for jobs, including moving forward with the construction of a new county nursing home that will supply hundreds of jobs to county residents, according to Wescott.

Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said officials are hoping there will be several opportunities in the stimulus to create jobs in the county.

“The mayor has been very focused on [adding jobs] being a critical part of the stimulus,” Strauch-Nelson said.

The county plans to pursue stimulus dollars for projects in order to help put people back to work as well, Wescott said.

“We’re reaching out to help small businesses,” Wescott said. “Recently the county granted a $60,000 loan to help re-open the Yahara River Grocery Co-Op in Stoughton. These dollars keep local jobs and local businesses in our communities.”

Falk is also working to maintain a good business climate to encourage people to move to Dane County by limiting property taxes, Wescott added.

Wescott said in 2008, taxes on the average home only increased by 2 dollars. Additionally, many homeowners actually saw decreases in their taxes.