Georgia Mountains Unemployment Drops Slightly in July

Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a decline in unemployment rates for July, except in the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.

In the Georgia Mountains Region which includes Franklin and Hart counties, the unemployment rate was down one-tenth to 3.4 percent over the month, the rate was 2.6 percent one year ago.

Initial unemployment claims were unchanged over the month and up 89 over the year, to 831.

The labor force was also down 551 over the month but up over the year, to 255,851.

The number of employed workers was down 142 over the month but up over the year, to 247,226.

Locally, in Franklin County, the revised unemployment rate in July was 4.8%.

10,242 people made up Franklin County’s Labor Force and of that, 9,753 people were employed and 489 were receiving unemployment benefits.

In Hart County, the revised unemployment rate for July was 3.7%.

13,208 people made up Hart County’s Labor Force.

Of that, 12,714 were employed and 494 were listed as unemployed.

Statewide the unemployment rate for July was 3.4% lower than the national rate last month of 4.3%.

In July, 183,000 Georgians were unemployed and of that, 35,000 had filed claims for unemployment benefits.

State Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that with over 5 million Georgians ready to work, the goal now is to turn this untapped potential into real, meaningful job opportunities.

Thompson added that to build a stronger, more resilient Georgia for tomorrow, Georgia must partner with businesses today to create jobs, leverage the power of the State’s skilled workforce, and keep unemployment low.