First-time UI claims in Ga. down 29 percent

ATLANTA - First-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) in Georgia were down 29.2 percent in May, compared to a year ago.<br /> <br /> State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Albany (down 49.6 percent), Rome (down 47.4 percent, and Gainesville (down 45.4 percent) led the state's 14 metropolitan areas in decreases. Applications were down 32.7 percent and 28.1 percent in Athens and Atlanta, respectively.<br /> <br /> "Most of the decrease in claims came in manufacturing," Butler said.<br /> <br /> Only Columbus showed an increase - 7.3 percent.