Metro Atlanta Unemployment Rate Increases

Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate for June was 8.9% WABE's John Lorinc reports that's slightly higher than it was in May.

The State Labor Department says metro Atlanta’s June unemployment rate was 8.9%.

That’s up seven-tenths of a point from May, but down nearly half a point from June 2012.

State officials say despite the rise, the number of jobs in metro Atlanta increased for the fifth time in as many months.

“Some of the areas where we’re seeing good gains would be in professional and business services, trade and transportation, health care, social assistance.  So, we’re definitely seeing some improvements,” said DOL spokesman Sam Hall.

While there is private sector growth, there are fewer government jobs available.  There’s also a number of recent college graduates looking for a place to pick up a paycheck.

“They need to do research to see where jobs are available and keep a positive attitude.  Do due diligence and they will eventually get a job,” says Hall.

As for Georgia, the state’s unemployment rate for June was 8.6%.

That’s up slightly from May, but down half-a-pointy from this time last year.