Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all Regional Commissions reported a rise in unemployment rates in May.

“Despite an uptick in the unemployment rate, Georgia’s economy and job market remains red hot while the number of claims remains relatively low – especially compared to the national numbers,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “While one month does not signal a trend, my administration will continue to keep a close eye on the labor market to identify any new developments.”

In May, the labor force rose in all Regional Commissions.

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission – Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties.

    The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.3 percent o-t-m, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago.

    The labor force was up 58 o-t-m and up 6,372 o-t-y, to 433,604.

    The number of employed was down 1,951 o-t-m and up 4,446 o-t-y, to 419,352.

    Initial claims were down 1,752 (-44%) o-t-m and up 562 (33%) o-t-y, to 2,264.

Three Rivers Regional Commission – Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson counties.

    The unemployment rate was up eight-tenths to 3.4 percent o-t-m, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.

    The labor force was up 636 o-t-m and up 2,640 o-t-y, to 258,451.

    The number of employed was down 1,259 o-t-m and up 1,028 o-t-y, to 249,733.

    Initial claims were up 39 (4%) o-t-m and up 411 (55%) o-t-y, to 1,156.