Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that River Valley added employed residents and grew its labor force in October.
 
The 16-county region also saw unemployment claims increase and the unemployment rate rise. Still, all critical 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 4.7 percent, was up .6 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 5.6 percent. The October rate was last among the 12 regions.
 
The labor force in River Valley jumped by 1,303 in October to reach 150,191. That number is up by 956 over the past year, an average monthly gain of about 80.  
 
River Valley gained 340 employed residents in October, pushing the total to 143,119. The number is up 2,237 for the year, or about 185 per month.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance climbed by 42 percent in October. They were down by 9 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.