Contributed

 ATLANTA — State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the number of employed residents and the labor force in the Three Rivers region rose in November.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployment insurance claims also increased.

“This is a great employment report,” Butler said. “Local businesses continue to create jobs and people are getting those jobs.  A temporary increase in claims doesn’t change our growing, dynamic economy.”

In November the number of residents with jobs rose by 81 to 236,050. From November a year ago, the number of employed residents was up by 6,272.

The area’s labor force, which includes the total number of residents with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, rose to 246,726, up by 57 in November. The labor force is up by 4,198 since November 2016.

Unemployment claims were up by 11 percent to 1,250. Claims were up in construction and administrative and support services. When compared to last November, claims were down by 15 percent from 1,468.

The November unemployment rate, at 4.3 percent, was unchanged from October.

The November rate compares favorably to last November when the rate was 5.3 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 1,648 new active job postings in the Three Rivers region for November.

Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.