As the economy takes a tumble, the state of Georgia reported a 76.3 percent increase in new unemployment claims in September, compared with a year earlier.

The state Labor Department announced Thursday that 56,652 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits last month, up from 32,139 in September 2007.

“Georgia is in the midst of a challenging economic environment,” state labor commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a written statement.

With 24,533 new unemployment claims in September, Atlanta had a 78.7 percent year-over-year increase.

Gainesville and Dalton had the largest increases, both with more than twice as many unemployment claims in September as they had a year earlier. The areas with the smallest increases were Athens and Valdosta, up 22.1 percent and 25.8 percent, respectively.

Manufacturing, construction, trade and services sectors have been hit hard, although layoffs are widespread, according to the state.

The total number of people on unemployment was 88,121 in September, up 53 percent from a year earlier.

The state Labor Department announced earlier this week that it asked its staffers to work 10-hour days and would keep unemployment offices open longer to meet demand.