Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Chattooga County’s unemployment rate was at 4.1% for the month of April. In Northwest Georgia, the overall unemployment rate for the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission was 2.8% with a statewide unemployment rate of 3.1% for the month of April.

Chattooga County saw 317 initial unemployment claims for the month of April – up from 124 in March and up from just 56 claims this time last year.

“With Georgia’s economy continuing to soar, the state unemployment rates remain steady,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “When you consider the number of existing companies expanding throughout the state combined with the incredible announcements of corporations moving to our state, the future continues to look very bright for the labor market. “As we approach the summer months, we are optimistic that job growth will remain steady in virtually every sector in the state.”