ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported Thursday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 10 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 9.9 percent in July, primarily because of layoffs in retail trade and construction. The rate was also 10 percent in August 2009. 

 

This is the 35th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.6 percent.

 

Although the jobless rate rose, the number of payroll jobs increased 17,800, or five-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,802,500 in July to 3,820,300 in August. Still, the number of jobs remains less than in August 2009, when there were 3,847,000 payroll jobs, seven-tenths of a percentage point, or 26,700 more than this year.

 

Initial claims for unemployment insurance in the Savannah metro area were up by 346, or 1.75 percent, for August 2010 over August 2009. The metro Savannah area gained 600 jobs from August 2009 to August 2010.

 

 

For more see Friday's edition of the Herald.