Consumer Stories

Two weeks ago, I reported a decline in employment for the metro area. Fortunately, this week I can report that other components of the local labor market improved or stayed the same in February.  The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.5% for the third consecutive month. The labor force, those in work and those looking for work, increased by 2,400 in February, and by almost 8,000 over the last year. Average weekly hours worked increased to 34.3. In January, I reported average weekly earnings increased to a record high,

Georgia’s labor chief said the statewide job numbers are showing a major trend in the right direction. Augusta’s story is also a positive one. The Georgia Department of Labor said last Thursday that the Augusta metro area is seeing month-over-month job and employment growth, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% in March, down seven-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%.  “There’s no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro