Georgia Mtns Region Unemployment Up Slightly in March

Almost all Regional Commissions reported unchanged unemployment rates in March.

That’s according to Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson.

Additionally, the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, which includes Franklin, Hart, and Stephens counties, Heart of Georgia Regional Commission, and River Valley Regional Commission reported slight rises in unemployment rates.

In the Georgia Mountains Region, the unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 2.9 percent in March.

The labor force was also up 245,772, an all-time high.

The number of employed workers was up to 238,746, also an all-time high.

And initial claims for unemployment were down 13% in March to 590.

Thompson recently celebrated 100 days in office on April 22, 2023.

During this time, the commissioner’s administration has been focused on modernizing the department’s UI system and operations, with a view towards expediting claims and reducing fraud.

Thompson said the agency’s new efficiency measures and progress toward modernization will ensure the Department of Labor is ready and well-positioned to help Georgians when they need it mos