New jobs up in Gainesville from a month ago

GAINESVILLE - The number of new jobs in Metro Gainesville increased by three-tenths of a percent over the past month.

The state Labor Department says in raw numbers that translates into another two-hundred jobs.

Hinesville led the state with a six-tenths of a percent increase.

During the period, however, as a whole, Georgia lost 5,800 jobs, according to Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, with the largest losses coming in the leisure and hospitality industry. But, that's a major improvement over a year ago, when Georgia lost 19,100 jobs.

Thurmond adds the state's unemployment rate is up .2 percent to 5.4 percent in September. The comparable national rate is 4.8 percent. Georgia's jobless rate stood at 4.6 percent a year ago.

The 14 metro areas of the state and their job changes from August to September
include:

- Albany, down 300, or one-half percent, from 64,000 to 63,700.
- Athens, up 300, or four-tenths percent, from 77,500 to 77,800.
- Atlanta, down 1,800, or one-tenth percent, from 2,299,000 to 2,297,200.
- Augusta, down 700, or three-tenths percent, from 213,800 to 213,100.
- Brunswick, down 500, or 1.1 percent, from 43,800 to 43,300.
- Columbus, up 200, or two-tenths percent, from 120,800 to 121,000.
- Dalton, unchanged at 76,500.
- Gainesville, up 200, or three-tenths percent, from 69,100 to 69,300.
- Hinesville, up 100, or six-tenths percent, from 16,900 to 17,000.
- Macon, down 100, or one-tenth percent, from 100,600 to 100,500.
- Rome, up 200, or one-half percent, from 42,700 to 42,900.
- Savannah, down 600, or four-tenths percent, from 147,900 to 147,300.
- Valdosta, down 100, or two-tenths percent, from 53,100 to 53,000.
- Warner Robins, up 100, or two-tenths percent, from 52,200 to 52,300.