Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Northwest Georgia’s labor force grew in October.
 
At the same time, unemployment claims were up and the number of employed were down for the month in the 15-county region.  Most indicators were positive for the year.   
 
“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 3.7 percent, was up .5 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.3 percent. The October rate was sixth among the 12 regions.
 
The labor force in Northwest Georgia climbed by 577 in October to reach 422,905. That number is up by 6,159 over the past year, an average monthly increase of about 513.  
 
Northwest Georgia lost 1,380 employed residents in October, pushing the total to 407,415. The number is up 8,555 for the year, or about 713 per month.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance were up by 30 percent in October. They were up by 41 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.