It's still high, but the newest unemployment rate is better than in previous months. In Coastal Georgia, unemployment declined to 8.6 percent in August. That was down about one percent from the 9.7 percent rate in July. The lower figure however may not necessarily signal a lot of improvement in the economy. The Georgia Department of Labor says the reduction is primarily due to shrinkage of the work force.
The Labor Department says in Coastal Georgia area, the number of unemployed workers declined in August to 27,184. That was down 3,908 from 31,092 in July. There were 19,937 jobless workers in the Coastal Georgia area in August 2008, when the unemployment rate was 6.2 percent.
Metro Savannah's August unemployment rate was 8.5 percent. That was also down 1.4 percent from 9.9 percent in July. Again, the reduction is said to be primarily due to work force shrinkage.
Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in August declined by almost six percent as compared to August of 2008. According to the Department of Labor, healthcare and private educational services showed a combined increase of 13,400 jobs.
Overall, the state's unemployment rate was 10.2 percent in August, virtually unchanged from a 10.3 percent in July. The rate remained above the national rate of 9.7 percent for the 22nd consecutive month.
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says additional efforts need to be made to stimulate private sector job creation. He says the labor department is expanding Georgia Works, an initiative that reduces employer costs associated with recruiting, training and hiring new employees.
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