News release, Mar. 29, 2007Q

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

March 29, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Macon's unemployment rate declines in February

ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that metro Macon's unemployment rate decreased to 5.0 percent in February, down four-tenths of one percent from 5.4 percent in January.

Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in February, down threetenths of one percent from 4.7 percent in January. The state's February rate was one-half of one percent lower than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 4.9 percent.

The state's jobless rate declined because Georgia had 16,596 fewer people on the unemployment rolls in February, and an additional 6,759 dropped out of the labor force during the month.

Also, from January to February, Georgia added 20,300 payroll jobs, primarily in manufacturing, construction, and the service-related industries. In Macon, the number of jobs was up 600, or sixtenths of one percent, from 99,600 to 100,200.

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-07-084