Unemployment rate unchanged in Feb.

Pierce County’s estimated unemployment rate held steady at 3.1 percent in February.

Bruce Thompson, Georgia’s Labor Commissioner, said most areas of the state experienced slightly lower unemployment rates or the rate was unchanged from February.

Thompson said that historically, claims increase every January due to temporary seasonal manufacturing shutdowns and the retail sector shedding workers hired for the holiday season. In February, initial unemployment claims decreased in all Regional Commissions, dropping back to normal levels.