Georgia Mountains Region sets all-time records

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced recently that the Georgia Mountains region set a series of all-time records in September.

The Georgia Mountains region is comprised of 13 counties, including Stephens County, and set all-time highs in labor force and employment.

Butler says at the same time unemployment rates fell to their lowest number ever.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more than 130,000 jobs.

Georgia’s unemployment rate also fell 0.1 percentage points in September to reach 3.5 percent.

A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.7 percent.

Rates fell across all 12 of Georgia’s planning region, with seven regions setting a record for lowest rates ever.

In the Georgia Mountains region, the September unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points, coming in at 2.5 percent. Butler says that’s the lowest rate record in the region.

It was 3 percent one year ago.

The labor force increased in September by 1,407 to reach 352,222 total members – a new record high.

The Georgia Mountains region added 3,398 employed residents in September, bring its total to a record high of 343,348.

Butler also noted that initial claims for unemployment went up by about 2 percent in September, and when compared to last September, unemployment claims are up by about 12 percent.

To learn more about Georgia’s employment visit dol.georgia.gov.