Hall jobless rate up

ATLANTA - The jobless rate for the 13-county Georgia Mountains area is up.

Rates are up slightly in Hall and several other counties, including Stephens, Jackson, Forsyth, Barrow, and Banks. The Hall rate increased two-tenths of a percent to 3.5 percent. Among other counties, rates are down in Lumpkin, White, and Dawson counties and remain unchanged in Habersham. The regional rate rose one-tenth of one percent over the past month to 3.7 percent.

State labor commissioner Michael Thurmond says the increase can be attributed to holiday workers who began their job searches last month.

"Georgia has added new jobs in seven out of the past eight months," Thurmond said. "And, the loss we experienced in July was largely due to seasonal layoffs. Combined with job gains of 4,200 in August, the state has seen the addition of 10,800 jobs in the past two months."

Thurmond added that new jobs in September came in manufacturing, personnel supply, and wholesale trade. "Increases in these sectors are a welcomed sign," Thurmond said. "They typically indicate growing demand."