The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Augusta’s unemployment rate for March was 6.4 percent, down three-tenths of a percentage point from 6.7 percent in February. The rate in March 2014 was 7.2 percent.

The rate declined as employers created more jobs, many of which were connected to preparations for the Masters Golf Tournament, which was held earlier this month. The number of jobs increased by 2,800, or 1.2 percent, in March to 230,600 from 227,800 in February. Much of the growth came in leisure and hospitality and trade, transportation and warehousing. There was also job growth in education and health services, professional and business services and government. 

And, there was an over-the-year gain of 7,500 jobs, or 3.4 percent, from 223,100 in March 2014. Most of the job growth came in leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and warehousing, education and health services, and the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing, mining, logging and construction. 

However, there were 40, or 4.2 percent, more new claims for unemployment insurance filed in March, as the number increased to 995 from 955 in February. Most of the increase in claims came in manufacturing and construction and professional and technical services.  Over the year, claims were down by 206, or 17.2 percent, from 1,201 filed in March 2014.     

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.9 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 7.8 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for March was 6.3 percent, unchanged from February. It was 7.3 percent in March 2014.  

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.gdol.ga.gov Connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @GeorgiaDOL, which can be easily accessed via our website at www.gdol.ga.gov.