Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Albany’s initial claims for the month of December are down. 

At the same time, Albany maintained annual growth in labor force and jobs across the five-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).     

“Georgia had a very good year economically speaking in 2018,” Butler said. “As I look back over the year, our state added to its workforce, employed more residents and increased jobs. Many of our local communities set records.”

The unemployment rate for December, at 4.6 percent, was up 0.3 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.9 percent.

The labor force in Albany dropped by 169 in December to reach 68,883. That number is down by 21 over the past year.

Albany lost 388 employed residents in December, bringing the total to 65,688. The number is up 165 for the year, or about 15 per month.

Jobs remained flat in December to 64,400. The job total in Albany is up 400 over the year – an average increase of about 35 per month. 

Claims for unemployment insurance decreased by 17 percent in December. They were up by 25 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 560 active job postings in metro Albany for December. 

The five-county MSA includes Baker, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell and Worth counties.