ALBANY — The monthly unemployment rate average in the greater Capital Region is up, yet still below pre-pandemic standards overall. The average was 4.2% in January, a bump from 3.1% in December and 4.0% last year, according to an analysis of non-seasonally-adjusted data from the state Department of Labor Tuesday. Between 2017 and 2020, 5% was the regional January average. “A lot of businesses, especially retailers, do seasonal hiring for the holidays,” said James Schlett, director of research and communications for the Center for Economic Growth, possibly explaining why December rates were lower than January. Historically, rural areas within the Capital…