Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta’s labor force and number of employed was up in January starting 2020 in a positive fashion. 

According to preliminary data, the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA) also showed 300 more jobs when compared to January 2019.

“Over the year, we are still seeing positive data and our unemployment rates are still some of the lowest ever on record,” Butler said.

In Valdosta, the unemployment rate increased 0.7 percentage points in January, reaching 3.7 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4.2 percent.

Valdosta ended January with 56,200 jobs. That number decreased by 600 from December to January.

The labor force increased in January by 935 and ended the month with 64,732. That number is up 617 when compared to January of 2019.

Valdosta finished the month with 62,359 employed residents.  That number increased by 467 over the month and is up by a significant 964 when compared to the same time a year ago.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 106 percent in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 25 percent.