Georgia jobless rate drops to 3-year low

ATLANTA (AP) State labor officials say Georgia's jobless rate has dropped to a three-year low.

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday morning that the state's February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the seventh consecutive month to 9.1 percent.

That's the lowest rate since March of 2009, when it was also 9.1 percent.

Butler said February's economic data is encouraging. He said 15,600 jobs were created, allowing many unemployed Georgians to return to work. Also, he said fewer people in the state were laid off.

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