Hall's jobless rate down

ATLANTA - Unemployment in Hall County is down slightly.

Hall's jobless rate has decreased over the past month by one-tenth of a percent to an even four percent.

Most counties in the 13-county Georgia Mountains region recorded declines, but five showed increases: White, up .3% to 3.9; Stephens, up .7% to 7.9; Lumpkin, up 3.5% to 6.7; Dawson, up .1% to 3.5%; and, Barrow, up .4% to 6.3 percent.

Seven of the eight other counties showed decreases in their jobless rates. Union is at 3.4%; Towns, 2.2; Jackson, 4.3; Forsyth, 3.6; and, Banks, 3.9. Habersham remained unchanged at 4.2 percent.

Overall, the region's jobless rate is up two-tenths of a percent to four-point-three percent.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says "the July numbers suggest that the state's economy continues to sputter as it attempts to gain the traction needed for significant improvement in the job market."