'Troubling' unemployment figures

ATLANTA - "Troubling" is how the state labor commissioner describes the increase in Georgia's jobless rate from November-to-December.

The rate increased four-tenths of a percent during the period, to 4.4 percent, the largest November-December increase in 30 years.

Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond calls the "magnitude" of the increase "troubling."

The number of new jobs created during the period was up by 4,100 statewide... including 100 in Metro Gainesville. But Thurmond says most were seasonal in nature, related to retail hirings for the Christmas season.

The number of people unemployed rose by 19,630, due mainly to job losses in manufacturing, construction, and some service-related industries, combined with modest job creation, Thurmond said.

The 14 metro areas of the state and their job changes include:

- Albany, down 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 66,300 to 66,200.
- Athens, down 200, or two-tenths of one percent, from 84,700 to 84,500.
- Atlanta, up 4,400, or two-tenths of one percent, from 2,482,200 to 2,486,600.
- Augusta, up 1,200, or six-tenths of one percent, from 216,400 to 217,600.
- Brunswick, up 100, or two-tenths of one percent, from 45,800 to 45,900.
- Columbus, up 100, or one-tenth of one percent, from 123,800 to 123,900.
- Dalton, unchanged at 80,000.
- Gainesville, up 100, or one-tenth of one percent, from 76,700 to 76,800.
- Hinesville, down 100, or one-half of one percent, from 19,100 to 19,000.
- Macon, down 300, or three-tenths of one percent, from 102,200 to 101,900.
- Rome, down 200, or four-tenths of one percent, from 45,300 to 45,100.
- Savannah, up 200, or one-tenth of one percent, from 162,900 to 163,100.
- Valdosta, down 200, or three-tenths of one percent, from 57,200 to 57,000.
- Warner Robins, up 400, or seven-tenths of one percent, from 59,700 to 60,100.