Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Southwest Georgia’s labor force grew during October.
 
The 16-county region also increased its number of employed residents in October. Meanwhile, initial claims went up.

“Georgia’s job market has been strong all year, across all 12 regions,” Butler said. “We continue to add jobs, employed residents and grow our labor force. We have much to be thankful for.”
 
The unemployment rate for October, at 4.2 percent, was up .4 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 5.0 percent. The October rate tied for ninth among the 12 regions.
 
The labor force in Southwest Georgia went up by 2,012 in October to reach 151,619.  That number is down by 463 over the past year, an average monthly loss of about 39.  
 
Southwest Georgia gained 1,356 employed residents in October, pushing the total to 145,302. The number is up 763 for the year, or about 63 per month.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance rose by 478 percent in October. They were up by 382 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.