Georgia maintained its strong employment performance in September, with a steady 3. 6% unemployment rate, half a point lower than the national average. The state reached record highs in various job-related categories. The number of employed Georgians exceeded 5. 2 million, while the workforce grew to over 5. 4 million, both all-time highs. Georgia created 6,800 new jobs, pushing the total to nearly 5 million, with significant gains in health care, social assistance, and food services sectors. However, some industries experienced job losses, such as private educational services and transportation. Despite a slight increase in the number of unemployed individuals, initial unemployment claims decreased to 19,600, showcasing the state’s resilience and consistent economic growth. Locally, Chattooga County’s first-time unemployment claims more than doubled in September.  There were 33 initial jobless claims in August, that number jumped to 77 last month.