Southwest Georgias August unemployment rate declines to 10.0 percent

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported today that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the Southwest Georgia area declined to 10.0 percent in August, down five-tenths of a percentage points from a revised 10.5 percent in July. The reduction in the rate is primarily due to work force shrinkage.

In the Southwest Georgia area, the number of unemployed workers decreased in August to 16,851, down 1,006 from 17,857 in July. There were 11,649 jobless workers in the Southwest Georgia area in August 2008, when the unemployment rate was 6.9 percent.

Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in August decreased 238,200, or 5.8 percent, from August of 2008. The over-the-year losses came in trade, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction. Healthcare and private educational services showed a combined increase of 13,400 jobs.

Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 10.2 percent in August, virtually unchanged from a revised 10.3 percent in July. The rate remained above the national rate of 9.7 percent for the 22nd consecutive month.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond stressed that additional efforts must be focused on stimulating private sector job creation, particularly through Georgia’s small and medium-sized businesses. The GDOL is expanding Georgia Work$ (GW$), an initiative that significantly reduces employer costs associated with recruiting, training and hiring new employees.

For more information regarding the GW$ hiring strategy, visit www.dol.state.ga.us or email inquiries to gaworks@dol.state.ga.us. GW$ telephone operators are available at 1-877-WORKS09 (1-877-967-5709).

The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us