The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded month-over-month job and employment growth, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% in March, down seven-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%. 

“There's no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro areas, more Georgians are securing good-paying jobs that support families, build the future, and strengthen the communities they call home.”

The labor force in Augusta was down 433 over the month and increased by 3,464 over the year, totaling 280,980. 

Augusta finished the month with 269,919 employed residents. That number increased by 1,395 over the month and rose by 3,237 compared to the same time a year ago.

Augusta ended the month with 252,500 jobs, up 500 over the month and down 800 from the same time last year.  

 In March, initial unemployment claims increased by 6 over the month and decreased by 15 from the same time a year ago, totaling 607.