Carroll County’s preliminary jobless rate was 8.4 percent in November, down from 8.9 percent in October and from 9.3 percent this time last year, according to Georgia Department of Labor.
Other West Georgia counties showed similar decreases, as did the state, regional and national figures.
“We feel encouraged,” said Carroll County Chamber of Commerce president Daniel Jackson. “At this point in time, we know some industries added jobs this year and some are talking about adding jobs on into next year. Our project pipeline is very active with potential industrial prospects.”
Jackson said he has “every reason to believe” this good trend will continue into next year and 2013 will be an even better year economically.
Unemployment in the Three Rivers region, of which Carroll County is part, declined to 8.9 percent in November, down from 9.0 percent in October, and 9.8 percent last November.
The rate declined because of fewer new layoffs in accommodations and food services, retail trade and transportation and warehousing, according to Georgia Department of Labor.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate with 6.2 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11 percent.
Unemployment figures for other West Georgia counties include:
• Coweta, 7.2 percent in November, down from 7.5 percent in October, and down from 8.3 percent last November;
• Douglas, 8.4 percent in November, down from 8.5 percent in October, and down from 9.5 percent last November;
• Haralson, 8.1 percent in November, down from 9.2 percent in October, and down from 8.7 percent last November;
• Heard, 8.7 percent in November, down from 8.9 percent in October, and down from 10.3 percent last November;
• and Paulding, 7.5 percent in November, down from 7.9 percent in October, and down from 8.4 percent last November.
Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.7 percent in October to 8.5 percent in November, down from 9.5 percent last November.
The national November rate was 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in October and 8.7 percent last November.
The state and national figures are seasonally adjusted, while the county figures are not.
According to Associated Press, the average number of people seeking unemployment benefits in the U.S. over the past month fell to the lowest level since March, 2008, a sign that the job market is healing.
The U.S. Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000 in the week ended Dec. 22.
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