By JOHN THOMPSON
Business Editor

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.

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