Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the Central Savannah River region’s labor force increased in December.
 
At the same time, the 13-county area saw the some major indicators remain positive for the year.
 
“Last year was a strong one in terms of gains for the economy and jobs,” Butler said. “We saw new records set across the state. Our unemployment rate continued to trend downward. Jobs were created and more Georgians became employed.”
 
The December unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent, up by 0.6 from November. It was 5.0 percent one year ago.
 
The labor force grew in December by 1,121 to reach 212,585 total members. The number has dropped 545 over the past 12 months, or an average loss of about 45 per month.
 
The Central Savannah River region lost 61 employed residents in December, bringing its total to 203,277. That number has grown by 702 over the past year, or an average monthly gain of about 60.  
 
Initial claims for unemployment climbed by about 47 percent for the month. They are up by about 11 percent when compared to last December.