Lamar County’s unemployment rate jumped 2.1% to 13% in April from 10.9% in March. Joblessness was 6% in April 2008. It tied with Spalding County to lead the pack in terms of highest unemployment. Lamar’s work force numbered 8,047 people in April, with 7,001 working and 1,046 looking for jobs. In March, the numbers were 7,872 total people, 7,017 working and 855 seeking jobs. In the McIntosh Trail region, Upson County was second at 11.4% and Butts County was at 10.5% in April. Pike hit double digits for the first time at 10%. Initial unemployment claims for Lamar in April were 270, compared to 255 in March and 162 in April 2008. At 15 more people, the monthly change was 5.9% while the annual change of 108 more people was 66.7%. The unemployment rate in the McIntosh Trail area was 12% in April, up from a revised 11.2% in March. Of a regional work force of 66,615, 58,650 people were working and 7,965 were seeking jobs. The rate had been 6.8% in April 2008. Unemployment in metro Atlanta was unchanged at 9.1% from March to April.
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