MARIETTA - For the first time since April 2008, the unemployment rate in Cobb declined. August's unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent from 9.7 percent in July, the Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday.

At 9.4 percent, Cobb's unemployment rate remains lower than that of metro Atlanta, the state and the nation. From the national to the local level, unemployment declined in August.

In metro Atlanta, unemployment fell marginally to 10.4 percent in August from 10.6 percent in July.

All metro Atlanta counties saw a decrease in unemployment, except in Bartow and Rockdale counties. In Bartow, the jobless rate increased to 13 percent from 12.5 percent in July. Unemployment rose in Rockdale to 11.8 percent, from 11.6 percent in July.

The jobless rate across Georgia dropped 0.3 percent to 10.2 percent in August, down from 10.5 percent in July. Georgia's unemployment rate remained above the national rate for the 22nd consecutive month.

Meanwhile, the nation's unemployment rate decreased slightly, from 9.7 percent in July to 9.6 percent in August. There were 14.8 million Americans unemployed in August, according to the data.

"We are pleased to see the first decline, but we need to stay vigilant as there is still much work necessary to bring this economy back," said Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens.

In August, there were 369,035 people in Cobb's labor force, of which, 34,828 were unemployed. The state Labor Department defines "unemployed" as someone who is not working but is actively seeking employment.

In Cobb, 3,806 people filed first-time claims in August for state unemployment insurance benefits. That's a slight increase from the 3,769 people who filed in July. In August 2008, 3,256 filed for initial benefits.

"Everyone in the business community is looking for clues about whether the economy is still headed down, has bottomed-out, or is on the up-tick again," said Southern Polytechnic State University President Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, chairwoman of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

"The unemployment rate is a major indicator, and the improvement in these numbers seems to be good news. I think we are all hoping that this change reflects the hard work that so many companies have been doing in streamlining their processes and becoming more efficient. These efforts may finally be paying off."

Statewide, 69,869 laid-off workers filed first-time claims in August, an increase of 18.2 percent from August 2008. Most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, administrative and support services, the Labor Department said.

The state's Labor Department is expanding its Georgia Works initiative. The program, established in 2003, allows qualified, unemployed workers to receive unemployment benefits while receiving on-the-job training with participating Georgia employers. According to the Labor Department, about 60 percent of job seekers who complete the training are ultimately hired.

To contact Georgia Works, call 1-877-967-5709 or send email to gaworks@dol.state.ga.us.