MARIETTA - Cobb County's unemployment rate in November dropped 0.5 percent after two consecutive months of increase, according to the most recent data from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The labor department reported Wednesday that November's unemployment rate was 9.1 percent. The unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in Cobb since May, when it was at 8.9 percent.

Cobb's unemployment rate continues to be lower than that of metro Atlanta, the state and the nation. Georgia and metro Atlanta's unemployment rates are higher than the nation's.

In metro Atlanta, the rate of unemployment decreased from 10.3 percent in October to 10.1 percent in November. No metro Atlanta county saw an increase its unemployment rates. Unemployment remained unchanged in Bartow and Clayton.

For 24 of the past 25 months, Georgia's unemployment rate has exceeded the national unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate in the state decreased 0.2 percent, from 10.1 percent in October to 9.9 percent in last month.

Meanwhile, the nation's unemployment rate marginally fell 0.1 percent to 9.4 percent, from 9.5 percent in October. There were 14.4 million Americans looking for work in November, according to the data.

Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens said part of the good economic news can be attributed to interest in Cobb from businesses.

"Today's news of 9.1 percent is very good for our county," Olens said Wednesday.

"We have noticed an increase in business interest with regard to both relocations and expansions."

News of a decline in unemployment was also met with optimism in the northern part of Cobb by Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood. He said a drop in the city of Acworth's unemployment rate is largely the result of employers hiring for an optimistic Christmas season.

"During the past 24 months, small businesses have been dramatically impacted by the shrinking economy and falling consumer confidence. This time last year, city and business leaders implemented a 'Shop Acworth' campaign designed to make sure our citizens and community neighbors would support our Acworth businesses. We are making sure our Shop Acworth campaign will provide the recovery needed in 2010."

In November, there were 368,930 people in Cobb's labor force, of which, 33,526 were unemployed.

The state labor department defines "unemployed" as someone who is not working, but is actively seeking employment.

The state Labor Department is scheduled to host a jobs summit early next month in Atlanta.

"Georgia's job market is struggling to regain its footing," state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a statement.

"On Jan. 18, the Georgia Department of Labor will host a Georgia Jobs Summit at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. This bipartisan gathering will bring together Georgia's best minds to develop a comprehensive, state-level strategy that will help spur economic growth and job creation."

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Kelly Services will be interviewing at the Georgia Department of Labor's Cobb-Cherokee Career Center at 435 Big Shanty Road near Town Center at Cobb mall in Kennesaw. Positions include quality assurance technician and warehouse associate. Applicants must bring a resume.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 4, I.L. Fleming, a construction company, will be conducting interviews to fill several executive positions at the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center. They include project engineer, project manager and chief operating officer. The project manager and COO jobs require a college degree. All positions require at least five years experience.

From 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 6, Staffworks will hold a hiring event for production bakery workers at the Georgia Department of Labor's Cobb-Cherokee Career Center at 435 Big Shanty Road in Kennesaw. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED along with six months food manufacturing or bakery experience.

From 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 7, the Acme Cleaning Company will be conducting interviews at the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center. Open positions include floor technicians and commercial cleaners. Positions are part-time up to 25 hours per week. Applicants should bring a resume and two forms of identification.

For more information, visit the Georgia Labor Department's Web site at www.dol.state.ga.us.