Terry Richards | CNHI

VALDOSTA — Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate rose in October, which is good news, according to the state’s labor chief.

The October unemployment rate, at 4.3 percent, was up one-tenth of a percent from September, according to numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor. The number of unemployed people in October was 2,783, up by 49 from the previous month.

“The reasons for the increase are all good news,” said Mark Butler, Georgia’s labor commissioner. “While (unemployment) claims are up for the month, they remain lower than they were at this time last year.” 

Unemployment claims were up by 0.3 percent to 293, according to labor department statistics. Claims were up in arts, entertainment and recreation. During the year, claims were down by 5.8 percent from 311 in October 2016.

The total number of employed residents declined slightly in October to 62,575.

Another reason the higher jobless rate is good news, Butler said, is the number of people in the local labor force is growing.

According to labor department statistics, the labor force for metro Valdosta — making up Lowndes, Berrien, Echols and Lanier counties — grew by more than 700 people from September to October. 

The number of available jobs in the area was 57,100 in October, up by 400. The job growth came in the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction, and the private sector, which includes trade, transportation and warehousing. From last October, jobs are up by 200 from 56,900.

“We have seen existing industries expand over the last couple of years, with larger expansions in 2017,” said Andrea Schruijer, executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority.

“Metro Valdosta is a growing job market and is producing some strong economic numbers,” Butler said. “This is a continuation of a good year for metro Valdosta.”

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.