According to numbers released on Thursday of last week, unemployment claims were up in Chattooga County for the month of September compared to the number of initial claims filed in the month of August.

In all, there were 220 initial unemployment claims for the month of September, up from the previous month but  lower than the total number of claims in September of 2022.

“In the face of Georgia’s resilient, opportunity-filled economy, we find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads, navigating the delicate balance between surging industry demands and an available workforce,” Georgia Commissioner of Labor Bruce Thompson. said Thursday.

Statewide, the labor force was up by 17,272 last month to an all-time high of more than 5.3 million. Georgia’s labor force participation rate increased to 61.5 %, up from 61% since the beginning of the year.  The number of employed rose by 12,355 in September to a record of more than 5.1 million.

First-time unemployment claims declined by 17% last month to 20,965. For the year, initial claims were down by 3% across the Peach State.