Jobs-strapped Dalton, Ga., saw a slight break in unemployment for February, according to Georgia Department of Labor figures released today.

Metro Dalton area unemployment declined to 12.2 percent in February, down eight-tenths of a percentage point from 13.0 percent in January. The jobless rate in the metro Dalton area in February 2010 was 12.7 percent, according to statement from state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

That improvement in unemployment translates to about 800 jobs, the labor department reported. There were also fewer layoffs in manufacturing and administrative and support services, data shows.

Dalton still has the highest unemployment in the state, but there was signs of improvement in other parts of the state.

Unemployment rates decreased in 20 of the state's 25 local areas, the labor department said. Five area rates remained unchanged. At 7.7 percent, metro Athens recorded the state's lowest rate.

Georgia's overall unemployment remained at 10.2 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.3 in January. Georgia had 10.3 unemployment in February 2010.

The national unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in February. Tennessee's unemployment numbers for February saw a slight increase to 9.6 percent in February, up two-tenths of a percent points from January.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.