Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Southern Georgia increased its labor force and employed residents during 2018.

The unemployment rate also fell over the year.

“Last year was a strong one in terms of gains for the economy and jobs,” Butler said. “We saw new records set across the state. Our unemployment rate continued to trend downward. Jobs were created and more Georgians became employed.”

The December unemployment rate rose to 4 percent, up by 0.5 from November. It was 4.5 percent one year ago.

The labor force fell in December by 1,246 to reach 180,757 total members. The number has climbed by 1,819 over the past 12 months, or an average gain of more than 150 per month. 

The Southern Georgia region lost 2,218 employed residents in December, pushing its total to 173,499. That number has grown by 2,677 over the past year, or an average monthly gain of about 225.  

Initial claims for unemployment rose by 33 percent for the month. They are up by about 3 percent when compared to last December.