The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the unemployment rate in metro Valdosta rose to 8.6 percent in January, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.4 percent in December. The rate was 9.1 percent in January 2012.

The rate rose because of two primary factors – a loss of seasonal jobs and an increase in new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

The number of jobs declined by 500, or 0.9 percent, from 54,000 in December to 53,500 in January. However, metro Valdosta started the year with 900 more jobs in January than a year ago. Over the year, jobs were up by 1.7 percent, from 52,600 in January 2012. The job increases came mostly in services, retail trade, and state government.

The number of initial claims, tied to many of the seasonal layoffs, rose by 198, or 30.4 percent, from 651 to 849. Most of the claims were filed in construction, trade, transportation and warehousing, and arts, entertainment, and recreation. However, the number of initial claims is down by 192 from January a year ago.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.6 percent, while metro Dalton and the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region tied for the highest at 11.9 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 8.7 percent, unchanged from December. The rate was 9.3 percent in January a year ago.