The state Labor Department says filings in Gainesville increased by 16 percent. Gainesville was one of only three metropolitan areas in Georgia showing claims were up compare to a year ago. The others were Albany (9.7%) and Rome (1.3%).
Applications were down in Athens by 20.6 percent and decreased in metro Atlanta by 1.6 percent.
Statewide, claims were down eight percent, with a 30.8 percent decrease in Warner Robins leading the way.
Meanwhile, the number of new jobs created in Georgia in January was up 2.1 percent compared to January a year ago. Atlanta and Savannah led the way, each with a 2.8 percent increase; Athens had a 1.4 percent increase; and the increase in Gainesville was 0.8 percent. Hinesville, among all metropolitan areas in Georgia, had the worst showing - a loss of 300 jobs, or 1.5 percent
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