State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today the unemployment rate in the Middle Georgia region fell in September as the number of employed residents increased and unemployment insurance claims declined.

The September unemployment rate, at 4.7 percent, was down from 5.3 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 6 percent.

“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a region on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”

Butler said Wednesday that in September the number of employed residents increased by 3,046 to 210,526. There were 5,540 more employed residents in the area than in September 2016.

Unemployment claims were down by 1 percent to 1,086. Claims were down in trade, transportation and warehousing. When compared to last September, claims were down by 9.4 percent from 1,199.

“Not only is the region producing good jobs, it’s putting people to work,” Butler said.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at  employgeorgia.com showed 2,212 new active job postings in Middle Georgia for September.  

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