ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Thousands of people are lining up at Sherwood Baptist Church for a job fair in Albany, which is drawing attention to the demand for employment opportunities in Southwest Georgia.

While the crowd estimate has not been independently verified, the turnout comes as labor market data show unemployment in the region remains above the statewide average.

The Georgia Department of Labor reported Southwest Georgia’s unemployment rate was 3.1% in April 2026, while Georgia’s statewide rate was 3.5%.

Dougherty County’s unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2026, according to the latest available federal labor data.

Avery Nobles, Webstaurant inbound operations and inventory control manager, said it’s a great feeling to help others find new job opportunities.

“Makes me feel good because we are from a servant leadership standpoint, we are servicing the people,” Nobles said. “And then from a leadership standpoint, we’re leading them to find quality opportunities. We need people, but if we don’t put them in the best situation to be successful within the organization, it’s not where it needs to be.”

The large turnout highlights both the community’s need for stable employment and residents’ willingness to pursue new job opportunities when they become available.

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