Applications for UI aid in Ga. down 1.5 percent

GAINESVILLE - Applications for unemployment aid in Georgia fell by 1.5 percent in January.

All but three of the state's metropolitan statistical areas - Gainesville, Valdosta and Dalton - reported fewer claims.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Savannah led the state with a 17.7 percent reduction, with Hinesville (17.5 percent) and Columbus (10.1 percent) rounding out the top three.

Applications increased by 13.4 percent in Dalton, 10 percent in Gainesville and 6.3 percent in Valdosta compared to January a year ago.

Labor Department spokesman Sam Hall said the increase in Gainesville was caused by an uptick in temporary layoffs in manufacturing.