The United States economy added 266,000 jobs in November 2019, greatly surpassing economists’ predictions of 187,000.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics also announced that the national unemployment rate fell to a half-a-century low of 3.5%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also points to a net gain of 41,000 jobs to the prior two month totals, bringing the three month average positive job growth gain statistic to 205,000, a 10-year high.

“America’s 31 million small businesses are delivering more impact than ever, and entrepreneurs are seeing limitless potential for success,” said SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Steve Bulger, who oversees the operations of the U.S. Small Business Administration throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, D.C. Virginia & West Virginia.