MARIETTA - The unemployment rate in Cobb dropped in March for the first time since November.

The jobless rate was 9.7 percent in March, down 0.4 percent from 10.1 percent in February, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor. The unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in Cobb since December, when it was 9.3 percent.

Cobb's unemployment rate continues to be lower than that across metro Atlanta, the state and the nation. For the 30th consecutive month, Georgia's unemployment rate has exceeded the nation's.

In metro Atlanta, the jobless rate decreased to 10.4 percent in March, from 10.7 percent in February. No metro county experienced an increase in unemployment.

The unemployment rate in the state marginally increased by 0.1 percent to 10.6 percent in March, up from 10.5 percent in February. Meanwhile, the nation's unemployment rate dropped to 10.2 percent, from 10.4 percent in February. There were 15.7 million Americans looking for work in March, according to the data.

Woody Thompson, interim Cobb Commission chairman, said the decline in Cobb's unemployment rate is a good sign for the county.

"I think that's a good indicator our economy is very slowly recovering," Thompson said. "That's been my feelings all this time that it would be a very slow (recovery) and slow is probably better."

Don Beaver, chief executive of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, said, "I think what's more telling is when you compare Cobb to all the other counterpart counties and see that we remain below them or better than they are positioned each month."

"Companies are doing better here and those companies that were smart enough to position themselves here are finding challenges, but not the same challenges they are in other locations," Beaver said.

In March, there were 367,211 people in Cobb's labor force, of which 35,750 were unemployed. The state Labor Department defines "unemployed" as someone who is not working, but is actively seeking employment.

In Cobb, 3,826 people filed first-time claims in March for state unemployment insurance benefits. That is 3.8 percent less than the 3,979 people who filed in February, according to the state labor department. In March 2009, 3,959 people filed first-time claims in Cobb.

Statewide, 69,265 laid-off workers filed initial claims, 4.8 percent more than the 66,069 people who filed in February. Most of the first-time claims were filed in manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; construction; and administrative and support services, according to the state. In March 2009, first-time claims statewide totaled 96,306.

"Georgia's unemployment rate continues to rise, however, the pace of new layoffs is slowing significantly," state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a statement. "More importantly, our state has experienced modest job growth for two consecutive months, suggesting that a fledgling recovery may be gaining traction."

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta - a nonprofit credit counseling agency - teaches classes on money management. Here are some of its money-management tips for people out of work.

First determine if you are eligible for unemployment. Contact the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center at (770) 528-6100. Next, make your job hunt your full-time job. Make an action plan, and set goals for the number of people to contact or network with, or jobs you apply for in a day or a week.

If you cannot make your mortgage payment, contact a CCCS mortgage counselor at 1-800-251-2227.

Make at least the minimum monthly payments on your credit card accounts. If that is impossible, contact your creditor to explain your loss of income. For student loans or car loans, call the loan servicer to ask about reducing or deferring payments.

Call the United Way hotline at 211 for referrals to low-cost services, such as day care. The credit counseling agency also offers online classes in money management at www.credabilityu.org.