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ALBANY, GA -- The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that Albany’s unemployment rate dropped to 10.5% in December, down from 10.7% in November. 

Albany's jobless rate in December 2009 was also 10.5%. Meanwhile, Southwest Georgia’s unemployment rate last month was unchanged at 10.3%, and Georgia’s overall unemployment rate rose to 10.2% in December, up from 10% in November. The rate was 10.3% in December 2009. 

“Albany is one of four of the state’s 14 metro areas whose rate dropped in December.  The decline is primarily because Albany had an increase of 300 new jobs, which provided opportunities for unemployed workers. Job growth, like this, is the key to further reducing unemployment. Commissioner Mark Butler is increasing the department’s emphasis on working with private and public sector economic developers, such as the Chamber of Commerce, to help existing businesses expand and to attract new industry to Georgia, which will lead to more jobs and fewer unemployed workers,” said Sam Hall, Director of Communications with the Georgia Department of Labor. 

The number of unemployed workers in the Albany area decreased to 8,070 in December, down 101 from 8,171 in November.