Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1336228
51 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2021 Economic Trends 7 Demographics: Employment (By Place of Residence) Approximately 250,000 qualified, talented workers contribute to Savannah's seven-county combined metropolitan statistical area enabling employers with access to a diverse labor force. The area's universities, technical colleges and Workforce Investment Board programs offer Savannah-area employers and students an excellent selection of educational and training resources to meet their current and future needs. Additionally, students at universities and technical colleges may qualify to finance their education with Georgia's HOPE Scholarship and HOPE grant. Employment in the last few years in the Savannah MSA and CSA reflects a healthy, moderately growing economy. Due to Covid- 19, CSA labor force employment fell by 15,000 workers (annualized, based on YTD through September). From 2019 to 2020, the Savannah MSA experienced a decrease of 12,710 employees, a 7% loss. The Savannah MSA unemployment rate increased from 3.2% in 2019 to an annualized rate of 7.5% (in data available through September 2020). This increase is attributed to the job loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Local Area Unemployment Statistics" and GSU Department of Economics. *2020 is annualized average of seasonally adjusted data through September. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Local Area Unemployment Statistics" and GSU Department of Economics. *2020 is annualized average of seasonally adjusted data through September.