With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that unemployment numbers are up across the state – and here in Chattooga County.  What may be surprising is that the unemployment rate in Chattooga County had gone up, but no where near as much as it has in surrounding counties.

In fact, Chattooga County showed only a slight increase.   Over the region, new claims for unemployment have jumped by around 800%.

Chattooga County’s unemployment went up eight-tenths of a percentage from February to March and is now at 5.7%.

This week, Governor Brian Kemp announced, “If an employee is concerned about returning to work due to exposure to COVID-19, we are encouraging employees to communicate with their employers on plans to safely return to work,” Butler explained. “We are all working together on getting Georgians back to work in a safe and stable environment.”

For more information or resources concerning unemployment options, please visit www.gdol.ga.gov.