The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia declined by 45.9 percent in February, compared to January. They were down in Gainesville by just over 17 percent.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says most of the decline was because of a decrease in claims filed in manufacturing and construction, administrative and support services, trade, transportation and warehousing, and accommodations and food services.
Claims were down in each of the state's 14 metropolitan areas.
Those filed in Gainesville were down 17.2 percent compared to January. In Athens, the decline was 48.1 percent and in Atlanta it was 35.2 percent. Warner Robins led the way with a 69.4 percent decrease.
