Jan. 24--MOULTRIE -- Colquitt County's agriculture-based economy could help it weather the downturn that has caused companies across the country to shed jobs, the county's top economic official said Friday.

On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Labor announced that the state's unemployment rate for December was at the highest rate in 26 years. The 8.1 percent jobless rate was up 3.6 percentage points from the 4.5 percent rate in December 2007.

The Department of Labor will release county and municipal jobless rates for December later, but the November rate in Colquitt County was 7 percent, down from the revised 7.8 percent in October. The November rate was up significantly from 4 percent in November 2007, though.

Among the bright spots for the county are agriculture and food processors, said Darrell Moore, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority.

Among the county's larger employers are chicken processor Sanderson Farms, which employs about 1,500 people, and National Beef, whose payroll is at about 500 to 550.

"People can have things they can cut out of their daily lifestyle, but they still have to eat," Moore said. "You may not get the flat screen TV, but you'll eat."

The county's agricultural economy also helps cushion it from the downturn, Moore said, noting that agriculture brought in $390 million to the economy in 2007.

"I think it has shored up the economy," he said. "I guess it provided a base other communities don't have. Having that and having the food-related industries we have certainly helps stabilize our economy."

The county also has been fortunate thus far to have survived any closings of large manufacturers or large layoffs.

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