News release, Nov. 21, 2007C

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

Nov. 21, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Augusta's unemployment rate unchanged in October

ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the metro Augusta area remained unchanged at 5.6 percent from September to October.

Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent in October, up one-tenth of one percent from 4.6 percent in September and two-tenths of one percent from 4.5 percent in October 2006. The state's rate was three-tenths of one percent higher than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 4.4 percent in October.

The state's rate rose in October because 4,471 more jobless residents were added to the unemployment rolls, while 20,739 more job seekers entered the workforce.

From September to October, preliminary data show Georgia added 15,200 payroll jobs. In metro Augusta, the number of jobs was up 400, or two-tenths of one percent, from 214,900 to 215,300.

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-07-419