Georgia’s positive economic numbers and job growth prove that the Republicans’ economic package installed over the last three years is working, U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey said Friday.

“Georgia boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, 3.9 percent as of today, and since last June we have steadily added more jobs for Georgia’s workers,” Gingrey said. “By lowering taxes and reducing regulatory burdens, this Congress, along with President Bush, has set the marketplace free to create wealth and create jobs in our state.

“It’s important that there be a job for everyone who wants one, and we provide that by being competitive in the global marketplace. That’s what our competitiveness agenda in the 108^th Congress is all about.”

Since June 2003, Georgia has added 39,500 jobs.

International exports from Georgia increased 13 percent in 2003. Manufacturing exports, which made up 85 percent of Georgia’s total international exports in 2003, increased 14 percent.

Homeownership in Georgia in 2003 was 71.4 percent, higher than the record national average of 68.3 percent.

The economic news is also positive for the entire nation, where the unemployment rate in May stood at 5.6 percent. Economic growth over the last year has been the fastest in 20 years with 1.5 million new jobs created since August.

“Our economy has stepped up rapidly in the past year and pulled out strongly of an economic downturn,” Gingrey said. “Our economic plan is working and now we need to stay the course to keep this pro-growth policies in place.”