State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said on Thursday that Northwest Georgia’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.
Mr. Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 4.7 percent, unemployment claims fell and employment growth continued to climb.
“The August numbers show Northwest Georgia’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” he said.
The August unemployment rate was down from 5.1 percent in July. A decline of 2,570 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 5.6 percent.
Unemployment claims were down by 24.3 percent - another good sign for Northwest Georgia’s economy. Claims were down in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 17.3 percent from August 2016.
There were 12,847 more area residents employed than in August 2016.
“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Mr. Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.”
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 3,259 new active job postings in Northwest Georgia for August.
Metro Dalton’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.
Mr. Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 5.2 percent and job growth continued to climb.
“The August numbers show Dalton’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” he said.
The August unemployment rate was down from 5.4 percent in July. A decline of 322 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 6.2 percent.
From July to August, jobs in metro Dalton were up by 200 to 70,700. Most of the job growth came in the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.
Since August 2016, metro Dalton has gained 500 jobs, a 0.7 percent growth rate. Most of the growth has come in manufacturing.
There were 1,098 more metro Dalton residents employed than in August 2016.
“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Mr. Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and more Georgians going back to work.”
Unemployment claims were up by 15.9 percent to 685. Claims were up in manufacturing. Claims were down by 4.7 percent from August 2016.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 638 new active job postings in the Metro Dalton area for August.
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