Jenkins County’s unemployment rate has declined slightly over the past three months, according to statistics recently released by the Georgia Department of Labor.

The county was ranked third in the state for the month of October with an unemployment rate of 17.4 percent. Approximately 451 of the county’s total workforce of 2,574 were unemployed in October.

The unemployment rate for the county was 19.4 percent in September and 19.8 in August.

Despite the recent decline in the unemployment rate, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported last week that wages and benefits for Jenkins County fell by 23 percent in 2008, more than any other county in the nation, according to a study released recently by the U.S. Bu- reau of Economic Analysis.

The county has lost all of its manufacturing jobs over the past few years, beginning with the closure of the Jockey International plant in 2005, MI Windows and Doors in 2007 and Cavalier Home Builders in September this year. There may be, however, a silver lining not easily discerned by the grim statistics.

Many of the county’s unemployed have elected to continue their education or to get their General Education Diplomas, which translates into a better trained workforce.

Jenkins County has also earned the distinction of becoming one of the first 12 certified Georgia Work Ready communities in the state. The program is an initiative comprised of a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. The certificate awarded participants indicates that job applicants have the necessary skills to serve as a foundation for training and that they are willing and able to work and learn.

In addition, the county has earned the “Entrepreneur Friendly” designation by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Other counties hit hard by unemployment for the month of October were Hancock County, which held the number one spot for the month, with a ranking of 20.2 percent, and Warren County, which captured second with a 19.0 ranking.

Unemployment rose slightly on the state level from 10.1 percent in September to 10.2 percent in October.

The nation’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from September to October at 9.5 percent.