The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the two-county Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area saw an increase in employment in August. The over-the-month unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage to 3.4%, compared to 3.8% a year ago.

“Georgia’s economy continues to deliver,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes. “Across the state, we’re seeing a strong labor force and regional growth that reflects an economy rewarding hard work, encouraging job creation and removing unnecessary barriers. As we build Georgia into a Top State for Talent, we’re creating a place where people can work, businesses can invest and communities can thrive.”

The labor force in Dalton was down by 104 over the month and ended August at 65,555. That number increased by 680 compared to the same time last year.

Dalton finished the month with 63,311 employed residents, an increase of 7 over the month and 882 from the same time a year ago.

Dalton ended August with 65,900 jobs. That number was unchanged from the previous month and decreased by 700 from the previous year.

In August, initial unemployment claims decreased by 331 over the month and increased by 4 from the same month a year ago, totaling 420.