By Sherri Ellington Lamar County’s unemployment barely remained below double digits for the second month in a row, up to 9.9% in May from 9.6% in March. Local unemployment was 11.4% in May 2011 and it had been in double digits since 2009. Lamar’s work force numbered 8,567 people in May, with 7,716 working and 851 seeking jobs. In April the numbers were 8,498 total people, 7,683 working and 815 seeking work. Joblessness in May 2011 was based on 8,563 people in the job market, 7,589 working and 974 seeking work. Initial unemployment claims for Lamar in May totaled 113, compared to 81 in April and 119 in May 2011. At 32 more people, the monthly change was 39.5% while the annual change of six fewer people was 5%. In the 10-county Three Rivers Region, Spalding and Upson had the highest joblessness at 10.8% followed by Butts at 10.3%. All other counties remained below the double-digit mark starting with Lamar, 9.9%, Meriwether, 9.8%,Carroll, and Troup at 9.7%; Heard, 9.4%; Pike, 8.2%; and Coweta, 8.1%. The preliminary unemployment rate in the Three Rivers area rose to 9.5% in May, up three-tenths of a percent from 9.2% in April. The rate was 10.3% in May 2011. Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.9% from April to May. The jobless rate was 9.8% in May a year ago. The number of jobs grew to 3,944,900 in May, up by 16,400 from April and by 34,000 from May a year ago.
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