The number of first-time unemployment claims in Chattooga County dropped drastically for the month of December, according to numbers released by the Georgia Department of Labor last week. There were 161 unemployment claims in Chattooga County for December of 2023.  That was down from 340 in November.  Last year at this time, there were 401 unemployment claims in the county.  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said last week, “Georgia posted incredible numbers in 2023, sporting a blockbuster year with over 5.1 million Georgians employed. With existing companies continuing to expand and a stream of new companies calling Georgia home, 2024 appears to be headed for all-time highs again”.