Southern Regional Commission sees lower February unemployment rate

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said that all Regional Commissions reported drops in unemployment rates except for the Atlanta Regional Commission, Coastal Georgia Regional Commission, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, and Southwest Georgia Regional Commission which reported unchanged unemployment rates.

"Pro-growth policies that foster innovation and drive success are why Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business and a perennial powerhouse in talent development," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "Even with a slowing nationwide economy, communities across Georgia continue to thrive with low unemployment and high job growth."

The labor force rose in all Regional Commissions except the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission.

Employment was up in all Regional Commissions.

Historically, claims increase every January due to temporary seasonal manufacturing shutdowns and the retail sector shedding workers hired for the holiday season. In February, initial unemployment claims decreased in all Regional Commissions, dropping back to normal levels.

Please see a synopsis for the Southern Georgia Regional Commission, to which Coffee County belongs, below:

o-t-m – over the month

o-t-y – over the year

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 down one-tenth to 3.6 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 630 o-t-m and up 38 o-t-y, to 180,647.
• The number of employed was up 722 o-t-m and down 372 o-t-y, to 174,155.
• Initial claims were down 1,094 (-57%) o-t-m and up 117 (17%) o-t-y, to 812.