BRIEF: Macon’s unemployment rate declines in March; Warner Robins’ rate unchanged

April 24--The unemployment rate in metro Macon dropped to 7.3 percent in March, down from 7.5 percent in February.

The rate was 8.5 percent in March a year ago, according to a Thursday news release from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The number of jobs increased to 98,500 in March, up from 97,900 in February.

There were 793 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in March, a drop from 914 in February, the release stated. Most of the decline in claims came in manufacturing and construction. There were 854 claims in March 2013.

The unemployment rate in Warner Robins remained unchanged at 6.4 percent from February to March, but it was down from 6.9 percent a year ago.

The number of jobs also was unchanged at 58,100 from February to March. However, over the year, the number of jobs decreased by 1,600 from 59,700 in March 2013.

There were 356 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in March in Warner Robins, up from 333 in February. There were 365 claims in March 2013.

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