<p>The number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits is at a historic low. ;</p>
<p>Labor Department statistics from early November show that roughly 1.89 million Americans are currently receiving benefits. This is the lowest figure we&rsquo;ve seen since 1973.</p>
<p>Figures from November also show a nationwide unemployment rate of 4.1%, the lowest level we&rsquo;ve seen in nearly 17 years. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Applications for unemployment benefits are a proxy for layoffs,&rdquo; reports <em>ABC News. ;</em></p>
<p>The country saw an estimated 260,000 new jobs in October, ;as businesses in Florida and Texas reopened after being hit by hurricanes. ;</p>
<p>Third-quarter GDP growth was 3% following a similar rate in the first quarter, marking the best back-to-back gain we&rsquo;ve seen in three years. ; ;</p>
<p> ;Overall, these statistics suggest that the economic recovery that began in 2009 is still going strong. ;</p>
<p>&#8212;</p>
<p><em>The claims-taking process remains disrupted in the Virgin Islands, but has improved significantly in Puerto Rico.</em></p>
<p><strong>Editor&#8217;s note: ;</strong> Hopefully this makes way for people who have given up looking for jobs to start searching again. We are not quite back a full economic power just yet, but could be getting there.</p>