Albany metro area sets another jobs record in October

ATLANTA — Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said late last week that Albany increased its labor force and also added jobs in October.

At the same time, claims for unemployment increased and the jobless rate inched up. Key indicators were positive for the year in Albany, though, as well for the five-county Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

“This holiday season we have much to be thankful for,” Butler said. “The job market has been very robust this year. Our communities continue to grow and prosper.”

The unemployment rate for October, at 4.4 percent, was up .4 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 5.1 percent. That rate tied for 12th among Georgia’s 14 MSAs.

The labor force in Albany grew by 660 in October to reach 68,577. That number is down by 103 over the past year, an average decline of less than 10.

Albany gained 384 employed residents in October, pushing the total to 65,590. The number is up 397 for the year, or about 30 per month.

Jobs grew by 600 in October to 63,900. Albany’s job total is up by 200 over the year — an average increase of about 16.

Claims for unemployment insurance jumped by 427 percent in October. They were down by 329 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 596 active job postings in metro Albany for October.

The five-county MSA includes Baker, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell and Worth counties.

In other area job-related news, workers in seven Georgia counties affected by Hurricane Michael have until Nov. 26 to file initial claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from the storm. The affected counties are Calhoun, Clay, Laurens, Randolph, Sumter, Tift and Turner. Any claims filed after Nov. 26 will not be eligible to be paid DUA benefits without extenuating circumstances.

Individuals who are unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of a federally declared disaster may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. DUA benefits are funded by the federal government to assist individuals after a disaster. Individuals in the authorized counties who were directly affected by the disaster must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website or in person at any GDOL career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are also eligible to file for DUA.

Employers may assist employees during periods of lack of work due to a presidentially declared natural disaster by filing partial claims on their behalf. Filing partial claims electronically results in faster payment.

Counties that are currently included in federally declared disaster are Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Laurens, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth.

Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with the department on social media.

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