Fayette

County's unemployment rate continues to be one of the

lowest in the region.

In

statistics releases late last week, the Department of

Labor's latest unemployment figures show Fayette County

with a 2.1 percent unemployment rate for August.

The rate

remained unchanged from July and the only county with a

lower rate in the region is Forsyth, with a 2.0 percent

rate.

Metro

Atlanta's rate declined to 3.2 percent for August, which

is the lowest ever recorded for that month.

"Atlanta

continues to have low unemployment and steady job

growth," said State Labor Commissioner Michael

Thurmond. "But, as a result of low unemployment,

Atlanta and many other areas of the state are

experiencing severe shortages of skilled labor. The

current labor shortages have opened the doors to

unemployment for thousands of `non-traditional' workers,

such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities,

former welfare recipients, immigrants and rehabilitated

ex-offenders."

In Fayette

County, the labor force is estimated at 47,400 with only

975 citizens seeking unemployment benefits.