Local Unemployment Numbers Hold Steady in December

The unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region was unchanged at 6.0 percent from November to December. 

“We saw the rate remain unchanged, but when you look at the big picture overall compared to the same time last year we have decreased the rate a lot. This time last year the rate was 7.6%.  So, 6% is a big decrease over the past 12 months,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.  

Some other good news he said was the increase in the number of people able to find work.

 “We saw the number of people employed in the Georgia Mountains area increase by 131, but that was balanced out by applications for initial claims for unemployment,” Butler said. “Fortunately though, those claims were seasonal in nature.”

In Franklin County last month, the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 8.3% from 8.4% in November.  The total workforce in Franklin County in December was 9,462 – of that 786 workers were collecting unemployment benefits. 

In Hart County, the unemployment numbers actuall rose to 9% in December from 8.7% in November.  Hart County’s total labor force in December stood at 9,447 – of that 846 people were receiving unemployment benefits.