State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Middle Georgia’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.

Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 5.3 percent, unemployment claims fell and employment growth continued to climb.  

“The August numbers show Middle Georgia’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler.

The August unemployment rate was down from 5.4 percent in July. A decline of 899 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 6 percent.

Unemployment claims were down by 7.1 percent – another good sign for Middle Georgia’s economy. Claims were down in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 11.8 percent from August 2016.

There were 3,710 more area residents employed than in August 2016.

“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.”

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at  employgeorgia.com showed 2,820 new active job postings in Middle Georgia for August.

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