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Unemployment rate jumps

Fayette County's job rate nearly doubled last month as nearly 800 more job-seekers

hit the pavement last month.

Fayette's rate jumped from 2.1 percent in August to 3.6 percent last month. Last

month, 1715 residents were listed as unemployed, while 994 residents were unemployed in

August.

The county's mark contrasted sharply with the state rate which declined from 4.2

percent in August to 4.1 percent last month. The

metro Atlanta region's rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent.

"While some jobs were added in the area, they were not enough to impact the rate,"

said State Labor Commissioner Marti Fullerton. "Most of the increase in jobs came

about because of the start of the new school year. School bus drivers and maintenance and

cafeteria workers who had been off their jobs for the summer returned to work."

Other rates included:

Clayton, 4.1 percent; up from 3.5 percent.

Henry, 3.2 percent; up from 2.5 percent.

Coweta, 4.5 percent, up from 3.5 percent.

Last September, Fayette's unemployment rate was 2.5 percent.

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