State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate fell in September as the number of jobs increased and unemployment claims declined.

The September unemployment rate, at 4.2 percent, was down from 4.8 percent in August. The August rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 5.4 percent.

“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a city on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”

Butler said Wednesday that in September jobs grew in metro Valdosta by 300, which increased the total number of jobs to 56,800. The job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with state government.   

The number of employed residents rose by 1,147 to 62,676. From September a year ago, the number of employed residents has risen by 1,931 from 60,745.  

Unemployment claims were down by 23.4 percent to 292. Claims were down in administrative and support services. Over the year, claims were up by 31.5 percent from 222 in September 2016.

“The region continues to head in the right direction,” Butler said. “Not only is Valdosta producing good jobs, it’s putting people to work.”

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 466 new active job postings in metro Valdosta for September.  

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