This August, the unemployment rate in Athens reached 3.8 percent, reflecting an increase of almost one percent over the month. Last year, the rate was 3.5 percent.
On Thursday, Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced this rise along with other employment data, stating that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a rise in August unemployment rates.
Thompson said, "It requires diligent and deliberate focus to balance opportunity with the needs within the state's workforce."
While the unemployment rate increased, the initial unemployment claims decreased by 5% in Athens this month. Overall labor force numbers increased as well. Athens ended August with an all-time high of over 100,000 jobs.
