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VALDOSTA — The unemployment scene improved for the city in September as it gained more jobs, the jobless rate fell and unemployment claims declined, according to labor officials.

The September unemployment rate, at 4.2 percent, was down from 4.8 percent in August. according to Georgia Department of Labor statistics. 

“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a city on the rise,” state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said. 

Butler said metro Valdosta gained 300 jobs in September, increasing the total number of jobs to 56,800. The job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with state government.

Metro Valdosta comprises Brooks, Echols, Lanier and Lowndes counties.

The number of employed residents rose by 1,147 to 62,676, the statistics show. 

Unemployment claims were down by 23.4 percent to 292 in September, mostly in administrative and support services, according to the labor department.

“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.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.