New numbers released Thursday by the state Department of Labor show an increase of six-tenths of a percent in Georgia's unemployment rate from December, to 5.2 percent.
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond told GPB, "this six-tenths of a percent increase is very unusual for this time of year, and I think its just an indication of the continuing negative impact that the credit crunch, housing crisis, as well as rising fuel costs are having on Georgia's job market".
Extending to a period of the past two months, Georgia's unemployment rate has spiked a full one percentage point, which Thurmond says is distressing.
"This increase of this magnitude has not occured in Georgia in almost two decades. So this in of itself is atypical of the Georgia employment market. We're beginning now to see a trend, and unfortunately it's a trend points to higher unemployment rates in our state".
Georgia's overall rate of 5.2 percent unemployment stands two-tenths of one percent lower than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 5.4 percent.
Thurmond urges those Georgians looking for work to visit one of the state's 53 career centers for help in their search.
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond told GPB, "this six-tenths of a percent increase is very unusual for this time of year, and I think its just an indication of the continuing negative impact that the credit crunch, housing crisis, as well as rising fuel costs are having on Georgia's job market".
Extending to a period of the past two months, Georgia's unemployment rate has spiked a full one percentage point, which Thurmond says is distressing.
"This increase of this magnitude has not occured in Georgia in almost two decades. So this in of itself is atypical of the Georgia employment market. We're beginning now to see a trend, and unfortunately it's a trend points to higher unemployment rates in our state".
Georgia's overall rate of 5.2 percent unemployment stands two-tenths of one percent lower than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 5.4 percent.
Thurmond urges those Georgians looking for work to visit one of the state's 53 career centers for help in their search.
