Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the River Valley region’s unemployment rate fell again in November.
 
The 16-county region also added employed residents and increased its labor force.  All critical indicators were positive for the year.   
 
“As we move through this holiday season, it’s exciting to see our communities doing so well,” Butler said. “While monthly numbers fluctuate, we continue to see long-term trends going in the right direction.”
 
The unemployment rate for November, at 5 percent, was down 0.3 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 5.3 percent. The November rate was last among the 12 regions.
 
The labor force in River Valley jumped by 733 in November to reach 151,113. That number is up by 2,063 over the past year, an average monthly gain of about 170.  
 
River Valley gained 219 employed residents in November, pushing the total to 143,523. The number is up 2,346 for the year, or about 195 per month.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance climbed by 63 percent in November. They were up by 136 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.