While Georgia continues to enjoy a record-low unemployment rate, the statewide unemployment rate did edge up slightly during October, according to numbers released last week by the Georgia Department of Labor.  But here in Chattooga County, the number of people applying for unemployment in October was quite a bit fewer than those applying for unemployment the previous month.

Statewide, the October unemployment rate was 2.9%, eight-tenths of a percent lower than the national rate of 3.7%. Georgia’s October rate was half a percent lower than a year ago. Also, job numbers set another record, increasing by 3,700 from September to 4,808,800.

Here in Chattooga County, there were 112 claims for unemployment during October – that was down 50% from September.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said, “We are starting to see some churn in the employment numbers, with some isolated layoff events offsetting some of the all-time highs we have experienced in the technology, healthcare, and transportation sectors,” said Butler. “However, we are still setting records in multiple sectors, highlighting the current favorable hiring environment for Georgians”.