Peach Tree Times

Georgia's economy continues to show strong signs of recovery as the unemployment rate drops.

An editorial in the The Brunswick News said that as of Oct. 23, Georgia's unemployment rate was approximately 3.2% and that "Georgia has done it right" when working to implement an economic recovery. 

The evidence for this claim is that Georgia has had 17 straight months of a falling unemployment rate and has posted the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history. The editorial attributes this success to the state keeping itself open for business while others shut their doors.

"As the top state for business for an eighth straight year with an all-time low unemployment rate, Georgia’s economy is booming," Gov. Brian Kemp said, according to a press release. "Keeping Georgia open for business and getting people back to work has led to nearly 200,000 jobs added this year, record investment in communities across the state, and the fewest unemployed Georgians in twenty years. This historic news highlights the Peach State as the best place to live, work and raise a family."

According to the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), as of October, Georgia had the highest number of employed Georgians since the pandemic restrictions came into effect.

"This is excellent progress for Georgia, and it shows that the state's economy is rapidly recovering and GDOL's programs, along with other state policies, are working to get people back to work," GDOL Commissioner Mark Butler said.

Unemployment claims have also been dropping in the Peach State. However, there is still some concern over the fact that while this rate is low, workers still seem to be quitting their jobs, Georgia Recorder reported.

Reasons given for leaving jobs include people choosing not to work because of fear of COVID-19, but also people who can't work because they've contracted COVID-19 or are taking care of someone who has gotten sick from the virus.