Southern Georgia Regional Commission sees rise in August unemployment

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all of Georgia's Regional Commissions reported a rise in August unemployment rates.

"August unemployment numbers continue to reinforce the strength of a vibrant Georgia economy," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "With the uptick in unemployment over the past month, it requires diligent and deliberate focus to balance opportunity with the needs within the state's workforce."

The labor force rose in all areas, except the Central Savannah River Regional Commission. Employment was up in the Heart of Georgia, Northeast Georgia, and Southern Georgia Regional Commissions.

Please see a synopsis of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission below:

Southern Georgia Regional Commission - Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware counties.

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 4.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 1,297 over-the-month and up 2,029 over-the-year, to 180,980. 
• The number of employed was up 360 over-the-month and up 1,229 over-the-year, to 173,740.
• Initial claims were down 339 (-32%) over-the-month and down 290 (-29%) over-the-year, to 724.