Local Unemployment Rates Dip Slightly in April

The unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region for April was 5.0 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 5.2 percent in March.

“This is the lowest the rate has been since May 2008 when it was 4.9 percent,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “The rate declined as employers laid off fewer workers.  Most of the decrease in claims came in manufacturing, as some workers who filed temporary claims in March returned to work in April. Claims also declined in trade, transportation and warehousing, accommodations and food services, professional and technical services, and health care and social assistance.”

In Franklin County, the unemployment rate in April stood at 6.3% – down slightly from 6.5% in March.  Franklin County’s total workforce last month was 9,064 – of that, 575 were collecting unemployment.

Hart County’s unemployment rate in April was 6.1% – down slightly from 6.3% in March.  Hart County’s total workforce in April was 10,223 – of that, 619 were looking for work.

Meantime, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 6.3 percent, which is unchanged from March. The rate was 7.3 percent a year ago.

“While our unemployment rate for April held steady for the third straight month, our employers continue to create new jobs and lay off fewer workers,” said  Butler. “The stable rate continues the 54-month trend in which we’ve seen our rate either remain unchanged or go down.”