The state Labor Department reports that the number of new jobs increased by about 300 over the past month. A month ago, the department reported that Gainesville had lost 1,700 jobs.
Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says credit for the reversal goes to increases in jobs in manufacturing, construction, and service-related industries.
Thurmond says the state's unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in February, down three-tenths of one percent from 4.7 percent in January. The state's February rate was one-half of one percent lower than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 4.9 percent. (County-by-county jobless rates will be released next week.)
The state's jobless rate declined, according to the commissioner, because Georgia had 16,596 fewer people on the unemployment rolls in February, and an additional 6,759 dropped out of the labor force during the month.
Also, from January to February, Georgia added 20,300 payroll jobs, primarily in manufacturing, construction, and the service-related industries.
All fourteen metro areas in the state reported gains:
- Albany, up 500, or eight-tenths of one percent, from 64,300 to 64,800.
- Athens, up 600, or seven-tenths of one percent, from 81,100 to 81,700.
- Atlanta, up 11,000, or one-half of one percent, from 2,395,800 to 2,406,800.
- Augusta, up 1,100, or one-half of one percent, from 213,900 to 215,000.
- Brunswick, unchanged at 45,400.
- Columbus, up 800, or seven-tenths of one percent, from 121,900 to 122,700.
- Dalton, up 400, or one-half of one percent, from 78,400 to 78,800.
- Gainesville, up 300, or four-tenths of one percent, from 73,300 to 73,600.
- Hinesville, up 200, or 1.1 percent, from 18,100 to 18,300.
- Macon, up 600, or six-tenths of one percent, from 99,600 to 100,200.
- Rome, up 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 44,700 to 44,800.
- Savannah, up 700, or four-tenths of one percent, from 156,100 to 156,800.
- Valdosta, up 900, or 1.6 percent, from 55,300 to 56,200.
- Warner Robins, up 200, or four-tenths of one percent, from 56,800 to 57,000.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/3/92734