Stephens Co. Unemployment Drops Slightly

Stephens County sees its unemployment rate drop slightly to start 2014. State labor department numbers show that Stephens County had a preliminary January unemployment rate of 6.9 percent. That is one-tenth of a percentage point lower than the revised December 2013 rate of 7.0 percent. It is also a full 2.3 percentage points lower than the revised January 2013 unemployment rate of 9.2 percent. The total January labor force for Stephens County was 12,867. Of that, 11,976 people were listed as employed in Stephens County in January and 891 were listed as unemployed. Labor Department figures show that the labor force in Stephens County increased by just over 100 from December to January, but is still about 500 less than it was in January 2013. About 100 more people were employed in Stephens County in January than were in December, while the number of unemployed remained about the same. Meanwhile, approximately 150 fewer people were employed this past January in Stephens County than were employed in January 2013, while the number of unemployed has dropped by about 350. Looking at other area counties, Franklin County’s preliminary unemployment rate stayed the same at 8.2 percent in January; Habersham County saw its preliminary January unemployment rate jump a percentage point to 7.6 percent; and Banks County’s preliminary unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point in January to 5.5 percent.
Charlie Bauder
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February Unemployment Figures Released for Stephens Co.

February figures bring good news on the unemployment front for Stephens County.

According to numbers released last week by the Georgia Department of Labor, Stephens County’s preliminary unemployment rate in February dropped to 8.6 percent. It is down nine-tenths of a percentage point from the revised January rate of 9.5 percent.

State labor department figures for February also show that 52 more people were employed in Stephens County in February than in January, while the number of unemployed dropped by 120. The labor force did decrease slightly in February in Stephens County, coming in at 13,121.

Meanwhile, this February’s preliminary unemployment rate is also a full percentage point lower than the revised February 2012 rate of 9.6 percent.

However, 77 fewer people were employed this February than in February 2012 and the labor force in February 2012 was larger, coming it at over 13,300.

The Georgia Mountains region, which includes Stephens County, had a preliminary unemployment rate in February of 7.5 percent, down from January’s revised rate of 8 percent.

Elsewhere around the region in February, Franklin County’s preliminary unemployment rate dropped nine-tenths of a percentage point to 10.3 percent; Habersham County’s preliminary unemployment rate dropped nine-tenths of a percentage point as well to 8.7 percent; and Banks County’s preliminary unemployment rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point to 6.6 percent.

Job Fair Next Month in Stephens Co.

With unemployment in Stephens County and northeast Georgia hovering between 9 and 12 percent, an event next month in Stephens County will provide an opportunity for those on the job hunt.

The 2011 Northeast Georgia Job Fair and Career Expo is set for Friday, October 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College, on Highway 17 in Stephens County.

The fair is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor’s Toccoa Career Center, along with AM 630 WNEG Radio, North Georgia Technical College, Northland Communications, the Northeast Georgia Employer Committee, and the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

Toccoa Career Center Manager Greg Pitts said there would be a number of employers on site to meet with those in attendance.

“Our estimations right now are that there will be in excess of 50 employers on hand who will be talking with people about openings they either have or will have coming up and we are excited about that. Let’s face it. Our economy has struggled here for a while and some of the latest numbers are showing that we have not made the progress we would like, so this is a great opportunity for people to come out and get a job.”

He went on to say that those coming to the job fair need to come prepared.

“The most important thing, I think, is to have an updated resume,” said Pitts. “Make sure it is completely accurate. Have plenty copies to give out. One thing I cannot emphasize enough is to come dressed for success. It is fine to be casual sometimes, but in these situations, you want to impress that employer that you are a professional and you are serious about getting a job. Please come dressed as if you are coming to a job interview that day.”

In addition to the job fair, the day will include a number of early bird workshops that will start at 11 a.m. at the Currahee Campus.

Pitts said that these should prove very helpful to those seeking a job.

“One of the workshops is what are employers looking for,” said Pitts. “This will be some of our area employers leading this workshop, telling people what they are looking for. (A second one is) an employment strategies workshop. We have one of our staff members who does a great job going through pretty much from A to Z what it takes to get a job. (A third workshop is) resume hot tips. This is a big one right here. We have certified resume writers who will be on hand for this workshop.”

A fourth workshop will deal how to properly complete a job application.

Pitts said the workshops will be held in two sessions, from 11 to 11:25 a.m. and 11:30 to 11:55 a.m., so people can attend two of the four.

For more information on the job fair, contact the Toccoa Career Center at 706-282-4514.

People are also encouraged to stop by the Career Center, located on Foreacre Street in downtown Toccoa, for assistance on finding a job or getting ready for the job fair.