News release, Apr. 24, 2008Y

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

April 24, 2008....................................................... . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Savannah's unemployment rate unchanged in March

ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area was unchanged at 4.4 percent from February to March. But, the rate is up 1.2 percent over the year, from 3.2 percent in March of 2007.

Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent from February to March. But, the rate is up 1.2 percent over the year, from 4.1 percent in March of 2007.

The current state rate is one-tenth of one percent higher than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 5.2 percent.

While the state rate was unchanged, preliminary data from February to March show Georgia gained 10,200 payroll jobs, an increase of two-tenths of one percent. In metro Savannah, the number of jobs was up 800, or one-half of one percent, from 161,000 to 161,800.

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-08-176