Athens once again posted strong job numbers in March. Figures released by the Georgia Department of Labor show Athens ranked second among Georgia’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas, or MSA, with a 3.8 unemployment rate. Commissioner Mark Butler says the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
"Athens has a very good unemployment rate. You know anything under 4%, that just shows you the strength of the local economy. The thing you really have to focus on is the numbers behind that rate. Because the rate can go up and down," said Butler. "So you want to take a look at are you creating jobs? Are you maintaining jobs? Are you putting people to work? And Athens has had a very good year. We've got 3,000 more jobs today than 12 months ago. And we're continuing to see people going to work."
Butler says the number of jobs increased while unemployment claims dropped. The unemployment rate in Athens was 4.5 percent this time last year.
"When you take a look at the Athens area, there's very little the Athens-area does not have when it comes to being a great location to locate a business. And so I think you're going to continue seeing great success in Athens. Just like we have. You've got the university there, the technical colleges, but also really good people and a very vibrant workforce," said Butler.
The four-county MSA includes Clarke, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties.
Unemployment in the state ranged from a low of 3.3 percent in Gainesville to 5.3 in Dalton.
