Gainesville leads state in new jobs

UNDATED - Metro Gainesville added 300 new jobs last month... and led the state, percentage-wise, new jobs this year, according to Mayor Bob Hamrick.

Hamrick, citing a report from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, that compares the various Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Georgia.

"And, it shows...Gainesville ranks highest in the percentage of growth in employment, which speaks great for our area." Hamrick said.

Hamrick added that the report is another indicator that the Gainesville area is not suffering the downturn in the economy to the extent that other areas are and he says there's nothing to indicate that will change in the new year - despite the continued housing slump and the economic fallout from the drought.

Gainesville was not alone last month, however, in adding new jobs; the state Labor Department says that was the case in everyone of the 14 metro areas in Georgia. But only three matched or exceeded Gainesville's job growth rate for November.

The state Department of Labor says the increase in jobs statewide in November coupled with a decrease in the state unemployment rate can be attributed, in part, to temporary holiday hiring in the retail trade industry. (County-by-county unemployment rates will not be available until next week).

Statewide, from October to November, preliminary data show Georgia added 12,600 payroll jobs. The 14 metro areas of the state and their job increases include:

- Albany, up 600, or nine-tenths of one percent, from 65,600 to 66,200.
- Athens, up 300, or four-tenths of one percent, from 84,500 to 84,800.
- Atlanta, up 6,400, or three-tenths of one percent, from 2,475,600 to 2,482,000.
- Augusta, up 1,300, or six-tenths of one percent, from 215,200 to 216,500.
- Brunswick, up 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 45,600 to 45,700.
- Columbus, up 400, or three-tenths of one percent, from 123,300 to 123,700.
- Dalton, up 100, or one-tenth of one percent, from 79,800 to 79,900.
- Gainesville, up 300, or four-tenths of one percent, from 76,400 to 76,700.
- Hinesville, up 100, or one-half of one percent, from 19,000 to 19,100.
- Macon, up 500, or one-half of one percent, from 101,800 to 102,300.
- Rome, up 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 45,200 to 45,300.
- Savannah, up 800, or one-half of one percent, from 162,100 to 162,900.
- Valdosta, up 300, or one-half of one percent, from 56,800 to 57,100.
- Warner Robins, up 300, or one-half of one percent, from 59,400 to 59,700.

On the Web: http//:www.dol.state.ga.us

http://www.terry.uga.edu/