News release, Sept. 28, 2006D

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996

Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

Sept. 28, 2006.........................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Augusta's unemployment rate rises slightly in August

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the metro Augusta area rose to 6.3 percent in August, up one-tenth of one percent from 6.2 percent in July. The area's jobless rate was 6.5 percent in August of 2005.

Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate declined to 4.6 percent in August, down one-half of one percent from 5.1 percent in July. The U.S. rate matched the Georgia rate at the 4.6 percent unadjusted level. During the preceding three months, the national rate was higher than Georgia's.

While unemployment declined in the state in August, Georgia added 47,300 non-farm jobs, with the bulk of those among seasonal workers in local education, as schools opened for the fall. Another factor in the decline in the jobless rate was a seasonal drop of 24,858 in the state's workforce, as some people gave up their search for temporary summer employment and left the job market.

Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLE AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm
CY-06-380