Labor Force and Employment Up in Georgia Mountains

Employment was up and the labor force rose in the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission of Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties.  According to the Georgia Department of Labor, the February preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent over the month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.  The labor force was up 1,878 over the month and up 9,877 over the year to 370,105.  The number of employed was up 1,874 over the month and up 11,958 over the year to 360,599.  The labor force and number of employed workers were at all-time highs as well.  Initial claims were down 286 (-27%) over the month and down 3,988 (-84%) over the year to 773.  There were also 4,259 jobs posted on Employ Georgia during the month of February.  The Georgia Department of Labor reports that the number of initial claims decreased in all regional commissions in the state in the month of February.