(The Center Square) — Georgia’s regional commissions reported higher unemployment in January but the labor force grew in all but one of the state’s regions, according to numbers released on Thursday.
The Georgia Department of Labor says it is an annual trend for unadjusted unemployment rates to increase in January after the end of the holiday season.
“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my No. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”
The Central Savannah River Regional Commission reported a smaller labor force and its unemployment rate (4.2%) was up 0.2% from January 2022. Its labor force was down by 2,554 from the previous year to 197,010. Initial unemployment claims were up by 872 (72%) from the year before.
The Atlanta Regional Commission reported a 3.2% unemployment rate (down 0.1%) from the year prior and a labor force that increased by 34,295 to an all-time high of 2,566,596. Initial claims were up by 24% over 2022 and increased by 49% compared to the previous month.
Also reporting an all-time high with its labor force was the Three Rivers Regional Commission, which represents Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties. The commission reported a labor force of 257,681, up 1,960 from the year before. Unemployment rate in the region was 3.3%, down from the 3.4% reported in January 2022.
The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission reported a record labor force of 325,845 and an unemployment rate of 3.1%, the same rate as the year before. Initial claims were up 21% compared with the year prior (243 to 1,430)….
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