A growing labor force and layoffs pushed local unemployment rates up in July across Georgia.

The Rome metro area saw the largest jobless rate increase – up four-tenths of a point to 11.2 percent. The state Department of Labor blames layoffs in manufacturing, construction and administrative and support services in new data released Thursday morning.

In Valdosta and Athens, unemployment held steady in July – 9.2 and 7.4 percent, respectively. In Augusta, Atlanta, Hinesville and Warner Robins, a handful of layoffs in each community pushed rates up only slightly.

The Labor Department reported last week the statewide jobless number climbed to 9.3 percent in July.

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