Georgia's unemployment falls to 9.9 percent

ATLANTA - State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 9.9 percent in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 10 percent in March. But first-time claims for unemployment insurance were up.

Butler said Thursday it's the first time in nearly two years that Georgia's unemployment has dipped below 10 percent. He says it's also the third consecutive month of job growth in the state. .

The last time the state's rate was below 10 percent was in June 2009, when it was 9.8 percent.

There were 3,834,100 payroll jobs in April, up by 30,100 from March. Most of the jobs were added in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, trade, educational and health services and construction.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance increased by eight percent over the month, statewide, but were down 25 percent in Gainesville.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/5/238797