Southwest Georgia adds to labor force in November

ATLANTA — Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said last week that southwest Georgia’s unemployment rate fell again in November.

The 16-county region also increased its number of employed residents and added to its labor force during the month. Meanwhile, initial unemployment insurance claims fell.

“As we move through this holiday season, it’s exciting to see our communities doing so well,” Butler said. “While monthly numbers fluctuate, we continue to see long-term trends going in the right direction.”

The unemployment rate for November, at 4 percent, was down 0.2 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.8 percent. The November rate tied for ninth among the state’s 12 regions.

The labor force in southwest Georgia was up by 1,172 in November, reaching 152,449. That number is up by 512 over the past year, an average monthly gain of about 40.

Southwest Georgia gained 1,416 employed residents in November, pushing the total to 146,357. The number is up 1,756 for the year, or about 145 per month.

Claims for unemployment insurance fell by 52 percent in November. They were up by 54 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 878 active job postings in metro southwest Georgia for November.

The Southwest Georgia Region includes Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties.

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