Local Unemployment Rates Dip in December

The unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region in December was 5.5 percent, unchanged from November. The rate in December 2013 was 5.9 percent.

While the rate was unchanged in December, there were 3,275 new claims for unemployment insurance filed, an increase of 1,730, or 112 percent, from 1,545 in November.

“Most of the increase in claims was because of seasonal temporary layoffs in manufacturing and construction, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Green. “Over the year, claims were down by 787, or 19.4 percent, from 4,062 filed in December 2013.”

Locally, Franklin County saw a big drop in the unemployment rate in December to 6.8% from 7.2% in November.
Franklin County’s total labor force last month was 9,680 – of that, 660 workers were on unemployment.

In Hart County, the December unemployment rate stood at 7.7% – down slightly from 7.8% in November.
Hart County’s total labor force in December was 9,648 – of that, 742 workers were receiving unemployment benefits.

Overall, Butler said the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region is gradually coming down.