State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Valdosta’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.

Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 4.8 percent and job growth continued to climb.  

“The August numbers show Metro Valdosta’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler.

The August unemployment rate was down from 4.9 percent in July. A decline of 554 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 5.4 percent.

From July to August, jobs in metro Valdosta were down by 0.2 percent to 56,300. The job loss came with the federal government.  

However, since August 2016, metro Valdosta has gained 400 jobs, a 0.7 percent growth rate. The job growth has come in trade, transportation and warehousing.

There were 1,327 more metro Valdosta residents employed than in August 2016.

“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.”

Unemployment claims were up by 21.7 percent. Claims were up in health care and social assistance. Over the year, claims were up by 18.7 percent from August 2016.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 790 new active job postings in metro Valdosta for August.

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