The unemployment rate in the Hinesville metro area rose in January, the state’s Department of Labor announced Thursday.
Employment went up to 9.3 percent in January, which was 0.2 percent higher than December. The rate was 9.4 percent in January 2012.
The rate rose because of an increase in new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits. Initial claims rose by 56, or 23.2 percent, from 241 to 297. Most of the claims were filed in construction, trade, transportation, warehousing, and administrative and support services.   
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.6 percent, while metro Dalton and the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region tied for the highest at 11.9 percent.  
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 8.7 percent, unchanged from December. The rate was 9.3 percent in January a year ago.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.