State unemployment is highest May level in 15 years

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose a half of 1-percent in May, now to a mark of 5.8 percent. That represents the highest May level in 15 years. Georgia's current rate is three-tenths of a percent higher than the national average.

Layoffs in manufacturing and other industries led to a total of over 284,816 unemployed workers in May--that is the highest level ever recorded in Georgia.

Jobless numbers up in September

The state's unemployment rate has risen slightly, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The rate rose a tenth of a percent, from 4.5 percent in August to 4.6 percent in September. Labor department officials say they added 6048 additional jobless residents to their unemployment rolls in September, and that early reports show the state lost 800 payroll jobs, particularly in the areas of hospitality, business and professional services, retail trade, financial activities, manufacturing and construction. More than 23,000 job seekers, however, entered the workforce during this time. Georgia's unemployment rate was a tenth of a percent higher than the national rate of 4.5%. For more information about the report, and numbers for the state's 14 metro areas, go to www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm.