The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the five-county Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded month over month growth of its employment and labor force with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, falling three-tenths of a percentage point over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%.  

“There's no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro areas, more Georgians are securing good-paying jobs that support families, build the future, and strengthen the communities they call home.”

The labor force in Macon increased by 35 over the month and 601 over the year, totaling 99,594.  

Macon finished the month with 95,679 employed residents, up 308 over the month and 500 from a year ago.   

Macon ended March with 101,500 jobs, up 100 over the month and down 300 from the same time last year.

In March, initial unemployment claims in Macon decreased by 53 from the previous month and were down by 33 from the same month last year, totaling 355.