Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
Georgia Department of
Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

October 24, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOB GROWTH IMPROVING IN METRO ALBANY AREA, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UNCHANGED AT 5.1 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER
ATLANTA --The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the metro Albany area added 300 new jobs in September, bringing the number of non-farm jobs in the area to 55,300. Most of the new jobs were added in wholesale trade and the service industries.
The department also announced that the area's unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.1 percent from August to September. The area's rate was 5.4 percent in September 2001. The area's workforce rose by 388 in September, bringing the number of workers and job seekers to 54,360.
Meanwhile, Georgia added 6,600 new jobs in September, bringing the number of non-farm jobs in the state to 3,867,100. The department also announced that the state's unemployment rate rose one-tenth of one percent to 4.8 percent in September, up from 4.7 percent in August. The state's rate was 4.2 percent in September 2001, just before the impact of last year's terrorism attacks began to ripple through the nation's economy.
"Georgia has added new jobs in seven out of the past eight months," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "And the loss we experienced in July was largely due to seasonal layoffs. Combined with job gains of 4,200 in August, the state has seen the addition of 10,800 jobs in the past two months. Jobs added in September came in manufacturing, personnel supply, and wholesale trade. Increases in these sectors are a welcomed sign. They typically indicate growing demand."
Continued unemployment claims declined again in September to their lowest level in nearly a year. However, with the end of summer and the approach of the holiday shopping season, nearly
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Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
20,000 job seekers began their job search last month, nudging up the unemployment rate. The state's workforce rose by 19,697 in September, bringing the number of workers and job seekers to 4,221,512. The workforce is defined as the number of workers with jobs, plus those who are unemployed, but actively looking for work.
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Tables and graphs reflecting Labor Market Data are available for download.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032.

E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.

FY-03-200

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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