State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said metro Atlanta's rate

declined to 2.8 percent in December, down from 3 percent in November.

"Atlanta continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates among

the metro areas," Thurmond said. "While

we were pleased with the decline in the rate for December, we know that some

employers have jobs that are unfilled, because of

a shortage of workers with the skills and training to meet their specific needs.

My goal is to develop a work force with the skills to meet the job demands of

employers throughout Georgia."

The state's unemployment rate declined to 3.6 percent in December, down from

3.8 percent in November.

Other counties rates included:

Clayton-3.2 percent.

Coweta- 2.8 percent.

Fulton- 3.5 percent.

Henry- 1.9 percent.

Spalding- 3.9 percent.

Rockdale- 2.3 percent.

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